Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Dutch Grand Prix and will be replaced by Polish reserve driver Robert Kubica, the Formula One team said on Saturday.

Williams said their team boss Jost Capito would also be absent from the paddock for the rest of the weekend as a precautionary measure, despite testing negative, after meeting the Finn on Friday.

Kubica, who last raced in Formula One at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2019 with Williams, joined the Swiss-based team in 2020 and has taken part in three free practice sessions so far this season.

"Kimi is displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits. He has immediately entered isolation in his hotel. The team wishes Kimi a speedy recovery," Alfa Romeo said in a statement.

Raikkonen's participation at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the fastest track on the calendar and a home race for Alfa, is also in doubt as the Finn cannot return to the paddock until he receives a negative test.

"First we check on Monday," team boss Frederic Vasseur told Sky Sports television. "And we check with the local authorities in Italy but we are staying focused on this weekend first and then we'll see for Monza what we can do."

Raikkonen announced this week that he was retiring at the end of the season, 20 years after his Formula One debut.

At 41, the "Iceman" is the oldest driver on the starting grid and the 2007 world champion with Ferrari holds the all-time record for most race starts, at 341.

Kubica, 36, had stints with BMW Sauber and Renault from 2006 to 2010 and returned to the Formula One grid in 2019 after a near-fatal rally crash in 2011.

Sunday's race at Zandvoort is the first Dutch Grand Prix in 36 years and a new challenge for all on the F1 grid, with practice punctuated by red flags on Friday and overtaking expected to be difficult.

"I think he's ready," said Vasseur of Kubica, who was 19th of 20 drivers in final practice. "It's probably not the easiest track to jump in on ... but it is like it is and we'll have to do the best job that we can."

Alfa Romeo are ninth in the 10-team standings, 17 points behind Williams and three clear of bottom team Haas.

Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Dutch Grand Prix and will be replaced by Polish reserve driver Robert Kubica, the Formula One team said on Saturday.

Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Dutch Grand Prix and will be replaced by Polish reserve driver Robert Kubica, the Formula One team said on Saturday. Williams said their team boss Jost Capito would also be absent from the paddock for the rest of the weekend as a precautionary measure, despite testing negative, after meeting the Finn on Friday. Kubica, who last raced in Formula One at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2019 with Williams, joined the Swiss-based team in 2020 and has taken part in three free practice sessions so far this season. "Kimi is displaying no symptoms and is in good spirits. He has immediately entered isolation in his hotel. The team wishes Kimi a speedy recovery," Alfa Romeo said in a statement. Raikkonen's participation at next weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the fastest track on the calendar and a home race for Alfa, is also in doubt as the Finn cannot return to the paddock until he receives a negative test. "First we check on Monday," team boss Frederic Vasseur told Sky Sports television. "And we check with the local authorities in Italy but we are staying focused on this weekend first and then we'll see for Monza what we can do." Raikkonen announced this week that he was retiring at the end of the season, 20 years after his Formula One debut. At 41, the "Iceman" is the oldest driver on the starting grid and the 2007 world champion with Ferrari holds the all-time record for most race starts, at 341. Kubica, 36, had stints with BMW Sauber and Renault from 2006 to 2010 and returned to the Formula One grid in 2019 after a near-fatal rally crash in 2011. Sunday's race at Zandvoort is the first Dutch Grand Prix in 36 years and a new challenge for all on the F1 grid, with practice punctuated by red flags on Friday and overtaking expected to be difficult. "I think he's ready," said Vasseur of Kubica, who was 19th of 20 drivers in final practice. "It's probably not the easiest track to jump in on ... but it is like it is and we'll have to do the best job that we can." Alfa Romeo are ninth in the 10-team standings, 17 points behind Williams and three clear of bottom team Haas.

Kimi Raikkonen positive for COVID-19, Robert Kubica to stand in

Kimi&nbsp;Raikkonen&nbsp;said on Thursday he has "no complaints" about his time in Formula One after announcing he will retire from the sport at the end of the season.

This weekend's Dutch Grand Prix will be the 345th race entry of the Finn's career, the highlight of which was winning the 2007 world championship for Ferrari.

"I had a good run, I'm happy with what I achieved," said&nbsp;Raikkonen.

"Obviously you want to win and it's not easy to win. I wanted to win a championship, I got close quite a few times and managed to win it with Ferrari, so happy that it happened, especially with them...

"I had fun and I did it my way, and I wouldn't change a single thing even if I could, because otherwise then maybe we wouldn't be sitting here today if you changed one thing along the way. No complaints –- I cannot really complain."

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The 41-year-old, who has won 21 races since his 2001 debut, has scored only two points this season for the struggling Alfa Romeo team.

His last victory came at the 2018 United States Grand Prix in the final year of his second stint at Ferrari.

Raikkonen, who previously raced in NASCAR and the world rally championship during a two-year hiatus from F1 in 2010-11, said he was yet to decide what his next move would be.

"No plans. I don't want to have some schedule put on, because obviously the last 18, 19 years in F1, since I started -- I did rally in those two years -- there was always a schedule, always what is coming next and what is this date and that date," he added. "So I don't want that."

Raikkonen, nicknamed 'The Iceman', insisted he does not think he will regret his decision to leave the sport.

"Will I miss the racing? I don't know. I've done it so long that I doubt that I'll start to miss it that much."

Media reports have linked his compatriot Valtteri Bottas with a move to replace him at Alfa Romeo, which would free up a seat alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for promising Williams driver George Russell.

Kimi Raikkonen said on Thursday he has "no complaints" about his time in Formula One after announcing he will retire from the sport at the end of the season. This weekend's Dutch Grand Prix will be the 345th race entry of the Finn's career, the highlight of which was winning the 2007 world championship for Ferrari.

Kimi Raikkonen said on Thursday he has "no complaints" about his time in Formula One after announcing he will retire from the sport at the end of the season. This weekend's Dutch Grand Prix will be the 345th race entry of the Finn's career, the highlight of which was winning the 2007 world championship for Ferrari. "I had a good run, I'm happy with what I achieved," said Raikkonen. "Obviously you want to win and it's not easy to win. I wanted to win a championship, I got close quite a few times and managed to win it with Ferrari, so happy that it happened, especially with them... "I had fun and I did it my way, and I wouldn't change a single thing even if I could, because otherwise then maybe we wouldn't be sitting here today if you changed one thing along the way. No complaints –- I cannot really complain." Kimi Raikkonen Team Radio: The Ultimate Collection 😎🎬🍿 So many brilliant Iceman moments from down the years - watch the complete collection now! ⬇️#F1 — Formula 1 (@F1) September 2, 2021 × The 41-year-old, who has won 21 races since his 2001 debut, has scored only two points this season for the struggling Alfa Romeo team. His last victory came at the 2018 United States Grand Prix in the final year of his second stint at Ferrari. Raikkonen, who previously raced in NASCAR and the world rally championship during a two-year hiatus from F1 in 2010-11, said he was yet to decide what his next move would be. "No plans. I don't want to have some schedule put on, because obviously the last 18, 19 years in F1, since I started -- I did rally in those two years -- there was always a schedule, always what is coming next and what is this date and that date," he added. "So I don't want that." Raikkonen, nicknamed 'The Iceman', insisted he does not think he will regret his decision to leave the sport. "Will I miss the racing? I don't know. I've done it so long that I doubt that I'll start to miss it that much." Media reports have linked his compatriot Valtteri Bottas with a move to replace him at Alfa Romeo, which would free up a seat alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for promising Williams driver George Russell.

Kimi Raikkonen has 'no complaints' ahead of F1 retirement

Lewis Hamilton said Belgian Grand Prix fans should get their money back after they waited hours in the cold and wet without seeing a competitive lap in the shortest race in Formula One history.

The wet race at Spa-Francorchamps was abandoned after the field, circulating behind the safety car, completed the two laps necessary for half-points to be awarded and commercial obligations to broadcasters and others fulfilled.

"Money talks and the two laps to start the race is all a money scenario," seven times world champion Hamilton, who finished third for Mercedes, told Sky Sports after the podium ceremonies.

"So everyone gets their money and I think the fans should get theirs back too. Because unfortunately they didn't get to see what they paid for."

The Briton said he was really disappointed for the crowd but the conditions were impossible for racing.

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"Obviously we can't control the weather, and I love racing in the rain, but today was something else. You really couldn't see the car ahead, there was aquaplaning, it was unfortunately just a disaster on track," he said.

"But the fans stayed out in the rain. They still had energy, they still created the atmosphere but they were robbed of a race today. I think they deserve their money back."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said everyone had reasons to be upset.

"It is what it is. I guess you need to take this one on the chin and close the chapter on this race and move on," said the Austrian.

"We must really applaud the fans that have been there for three days in the rain, they have waited for a race to happen."

With no overtaking possible, pole sitter Max Verstappen was declared the winner for Red Bull ahead of Williams driver George Russell.

Hamilton's overall lead was whittled down to three points from eight.

The race was abandoned at 1844 local time, three hours, 44 minutes after it was supposed to start.

Verstappen, who receives plenty of support at Spa from his army of Dutch fans making the short trip across the border to Belgium, also sympathised with the fans.

"I think for today the credit goes to all the fans around the track to stay here the whole day in the rain, in the cold, in the windy conditions, so I think they are actually the bigger winners today," he said.

Lewis Hamilton said Belgian Grand Prix fans should get their money back after they waited hours in the cold and wet without seeing a competitive lap in the shortest race in Formula One history.

Lewis Hamilton said Belgian Grand Prix fans should get their money back after they waited hours in the cold and wet without seeing a competitive lap in the shortest race in Formula One history. The wet race at Spa-Francorchamps was abandoned after the field, circulating behind the safety car, completed the two laps necessary for half-points to be awarded and commercial obligations to broadcasters and others fulfilled. "Money talks and the two laps to start the race is all a money scenario," seven times world champion Hamilton, who finished third for Mercedes, told Sky Sports after the podium ceremonies. "So everyone gets their money and I think the fans should get theirs back too. Because unfortunately they didn't get to see what they paid for." The Briton said he was really disappointed for the crowd but the conditions were impossible for racing. ALSO READ | Lionel Messi makes his debut in Ligue 1 as Kylian Mbappe steals the show with twin strikes in PSG's 2-0 win vs Reims "Obviously we can't control the weather, and I love racing in the rain, but today was something else. You really couldn't see the car ahead, there was aquaplaning, it was unfortunately just a disaster on track," he said. "But the fans stayed out in the rain. They still had energy, they still created the atmosphere but they were robbed of a race today. I think they deserve their money back." Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said everyone had reasons to be upset. "It is what it is. I guess you need to take this one on the chin and close the chapter on this race and move on," said the Austrian. "We must really applaud the fans that have been there for three days in the rain, they have waited for a race to happen." With no overtaking possible, pole sitter Max Verstappen was declared the winner for Red Bull ahead of Williams driver George Russell. Hamilton's overall lead was whittled down to three points from eight. The race was abandoned at 1844 local time, three hours, 44 minutes after it was supposed to start. Verstappen, who receives plenty of support at Spa from his army of Dutch fans making the short trip across the border to Belgium, also sympathised with the fans. "I think for today the credit goes to all the fans around the track to stay here the whole day in the rain, in the cold, in the windy conditions, so I think they are actually the bigger winners today," he said.

Belgian GP fans should get their money back says Lewis Hamilton after Spa 'race' farce

The Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled for a second year over virus "complexities", Formula 1 said Wednesday.

The race was due to take place at Suzuka on October 10, but F1 said the Japanese government had pulled the plug due to the country's pandemic situation.

Japan is currently battling record coronavirus infections, with Tokyo and other regions under a state of emergency.

"The decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic in the country," F1 said in a statement.

The decision follows Grand Prix cancellations this season in Australia, China, Canada and Singapore.

F1 said it had yet to decide how to fill the gap.

"Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks," the statement said.

"Formula 1 has proven this year, and in 2020, that we can adapt and find solutions to the ongoing uncertainties and is excited by the level of interest in locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond."

Japan's MotoGP, which was also scheduled to take place in October, was scrapped in June.

The figure-of-eight Suzuka circuit, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2022, has hosted 31 GPs since 1987, with the drivers' world title being decided there on 11 occasions.

In April, Japanese GP promoters and F1 chiefs announced that the race would remain at Suzuka until 2024.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled for a second year over virus "complexities", Formula 1 said Wednesday. The race was due to take place at Suzuka on October 10, but F1 said the Japanese government had pulled the plug due to the country's pandemic situation.

The Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled for a second year over virus "complexities", Formula 1 said Wednesday. The race was due to take place at Suzuka on October 10, but F1 said the Japanese government had pulled the plug due to the country's pandemic situation. Japan is currently battling record coronavirus infections, with Tokyo and other regions under a state of emergency. "The decision has been taken by the Japanese government to cancel the race this season due to ongoing complexities of the pandemic in the country," F1 said in a statement. The decision follows Grand Prix cancellations this season in Australia, China, Canada and Singapore. F1 said it had yet to decide how to fill the gap. "Formula 1 is now working on the details of the revised calendar and will announce the final details in the coming weeks," the statement said. "Formula 1 has proven this year, and in 2020, that we can adapt and find solutions to the ongoing uncertainties and is excited by the level of interest in locations to host Formula 1 events this year and beyond." Japan's MotoGP, which was also scheduled to take place in October, was scrapped in June. The figure-of-eight Suzuka circuit, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2022, has hosted 31 GPs since 1987, with the drivers' world title being decided there on 11 occasions. In April, Japanese GP promoters and F1 chiefs announced that the race would remain at Suzuka until 2024.

COVID-19: Japanese Grand Prix cancelled for second year over virus

The decades-old dream of zipping around in the sky as simply as driving on highways may be becoming a reality faster than we thought.

A full-size pilotless 'flying race car' has taken to the sky for the first time ahead of remotely piloted races to be held later this year at three international locations still to be revealed.

The Alauda Mk3's first flight brings the company's goal of an electric flying car Grand Prix, one step closer.

"It is a momentous day," founder and chief executive of Adelaide-based Alauda Aeronautics, Matt Pearson, said in an interview.

"To be able to showcase the Mark 3 to the world and show that flying car racing is just around the corner."

The Mk3 Airspeeder is a multicopter craft based on a Formula 1 car and has a greater thrust-to-weight ratio than an F15 fighter jet, according to Alauda.

Pearson's eventual plan is the Airspeeder Race Series of piloted multicopters, but he is using their EXA Series, with remotely controlled Mark 3s, as a proving ground.

"The EXA Series will always be a feeder series to the main Airspeeder event and the crewed racing that's coming. And the cool thing is it'll always be with full-size vehicles, fully functional electric flying cars, just remotely piloted for now," Pearson said.

Battery sizes, air traffic control, and other infrastructure issues are among the many potential challenges to commercialising them.

The pilots will remotely race on augmented reality sky-tracks visible to an audience watching via a digital stream.

"We don't need a track," Pearson said, "but it's important to convey what's going on to the audience at home."

Alauda Aeronautics are themselves involved in a race to be the first of several companies hoping to race manned drones or eVTOL vehicles.

Air Race E has partnered with European planemaker Airbus to launch races of 3 different classes of electric aircraft including eVTOL.

The Spanish entrepreneur behind city-based electric racing series, Formula E and off-road Extreme E, Alejandro Agag, is also considering electric air racing.

Pearson believes racing electric flying cars will hasten the development of eVTOL advanced air mobility craft, a market that Alauda Aeronautics wants a share of.

"I looked back at what happened 100 years ago," Pearson said.

"In the last great mobility revolutions when the dawn of the automobile and the airplane and what accelerated that? What drove acceptance? What drove technology? It was always racing. If you go back far enough the first application is always racing."

(With inputs from agencies)

The decades-old dream of zipping around in the sky as simply as driving on highways may be becoming a reality faster than we thought. A full-size pilotless 'flying race car' has taken to the sky for the first time ahead of remotely piloted races to be held later this year at three international locations still to be revealed.

The decades-old dream of zipping around in the sky as simply as driving on highways may be becoming a reality faster than we thought. A full-size pilotless 'flying race car' has taken to the sky for the first time ahead of remotely piloted races to be held later this year at three international locations still to be revealed. The Alauda Mk3's first flight brings the company's goal of an electric flying car Grand Prix, one step closer. "It is a momentous day," founder and chief executive of Adelaide-based Alauda Aeronautics, Matt Pearson, said in an interview. "To be able to showcase the Mark 3 to the world and show that flying car racing is just around the corner." The Mk3 Airspeeder is a multicopter craft based on a Formula 1 car and has a greater thrust-to-weight ratio than an F15 fighter jet, according to Alauda. Pearson's eventual plan is the Airspeeder Race Series of piloted multicopters, but he is using their EXA Series, with remotely controlled Mark 3s, as a proving ground. "The EXA Series will always be a feeder series to the main Airspeeder event and the crewed racing that's coming. And the cool thing is it'll always be with full-size vehicles, fully functional electric flying cars, just remotely piloted for now," Pearson said. Battery sizes, air traffic control, and other infrastructure issues are among the many potential challenges to commercialising them. The pilots will remotely race on augmented reality sky-tracks visible to an audience watching via a digital stream. "We don't need a track," Pearson said, "but it's important to convey what's going on to the audience at home." Alauda Aeronautics are themselves involved in a race to be the first of several companies hoping to race manned drones or eVTOL vehicles. Air Race E has partnered with European planemaker Airbus to launch races of 3 different classes of electric aircraft including eVTOL. The Spanish entrepreneur behind city-based electric racing series, Formula E and off-road Extreme E, Alejandro Agag, is also considering electric air racing. Pearson believes racing electric flying cars will hasten the development of eVTOL advanced air mobility craft, a market that Alauda Aeronautics wants a share of. "I looked back at what happened 100 years ago," Pearson said. "In the last great mobility revolutions when the dawn of the automobile and the airplane and what accelerated that? What drove acceptance? What drove technology? It was always racing. If you go back far enough the first application is always racing." (With inputs from agencies)

'Future of racing': Full-size flying race car takes first flight

Singapore <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hamilton-wins-portuguese-grand-prix-for-97th-career-victory-382380">Grand Prix </a>organizers on Friday cancelled the upcoming event scheduled to be held on October 3 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the race said: "We understand that our fans were looking forward to another edition of the Singapore Grand Prix, to cancel the event for a second year is an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore."

Reports say F-1 organizers are eyeing Turkey as a possible replacement or Austin, Texas in the US to hold two races. The other option reportedly being discussed is China as a possible venue which was postponed earlier.

Singapore recently reported a surge in virus with the Delta variant worrying health officials in the country although the country has reported just &nbsp;62,000 COVID-19 cases so far and just 33 fatalities so far but an outbreak last month forced authorities to impose new restrictions.

The F-1 calendar may be hit in the latter half of the year with the Japanese, Mexican and Brazilian events in doubt&nbsp;due to rising coronavirus cases in those countries.

Australia has heavily restricted entry of foreigners and has been experiencing a surge in cases recently in Victoria state with reports indicating it may pull out. The Formula-1 race is currently underway in Azerbaijan's Baku with five races already over in the calendar year.

The Japanese Grand Prix is set to take place on October 10 and the Mexican F-1 due to take place on November 1, the Brazilian race is set to follow a week later on November 7 and the Australian Grand Prix a fortnight later on November 21.

The final race is due to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 12.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Singapore Grand Prix organizers on Friday cancelled the upcoming event scheduled to be held on October 3 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the race said: "We understand that our fans were looking forward to another edition of the Singapore Grand Prix, to cancel the event for a second year is an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore.

Singapore Grand Prix organizers on Friday cancelled the upcoming event scheduled to be held on October 3 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the race said: "We understand that our fans were looking forward to another edition of the Singapore Grand Prix, to cancel the event for a second year is an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one in light of the prevailing restrictions for live events in Singapore." Reports say F-1 organizers are eyeing Turkey as a possible replacement or Austin, Texas in the US to hold two races. The other option reportedly being discussed is China as a possible venue which was postponed earlier. Singapore recently reported a surge in virus with the Delta variant worrying health officials in the country although the country has reported just 62,000 COVID-19 cases so far and just 33 fatalities so far but an outbreak last month forced authorities to impose new restrictions. The F-1 calendar may be hit in the latter half of the year with the Japanese, Mexican and Brazilian events in doubt due to rising coronavirus cases in those countries. Australia has heavily restricted entry of foreigners and has been experiencing a surge in cases recently in Victoria state with reports indicating it may pull out. The Formula-1 race is currently underway in Azerbaijan's Baku with five races already over in the calendar year. The Japanese Grand Prix is set to take place on October 10 and the Mexican F-1 due to take place on November 1, the Brazilian race is set to follow a week later on November 7 and the Australian Grand Prix a fortnight later on November 21. The final race is due to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 12. (With inputs from Agencies)

Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix cancelled over coronavirus restrictions

New Formula 1 CEO Stefano&nbsp;Domenicali&nbsp;has said that he is unsure whether seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will sign a new contract with Mercedes. Hamilton is out of contract currently and is yet to agree fresh terms with Mercedes&nbsp;to continue in 2021 and beyond.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With the start of new F1 season less than two months away,&nbsp;Domenicali&nbsp;revealed that he has had talks with Hamilton about his future during the winter break while conceding that the Briton hasn't told him whether he will&nbsp;pen&nbsp;a&nbsp;new deal with Mercedes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I have spoken with Lewis, we talked during the Christmas period,”&nbsp;Domenicali&nbsp;told Sky Sport Italia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“He is preparing. He is not telling me if he will sign or not sign the renewal with Mercedes.”&nbsp;

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&nbsp;While Hamilton continues to train ahead of the new season, reports suggest that Mercedes are confident over a new deal.&nbsp;

However,&nbsp;Domenicali&nbsp;expressed his doubts on whether Hamilton would call time on his F1 career when he has the golden opportunity to lift an unprecedented eighth F1 world title.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"He has a great opportunity, not only speaking in terms of sports, to be the strongest in the world,” he explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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“He also has the opportunity to continue to have a role that goes beyond the sporting dimension, and he will be able to do so also in the future.&nbsp;

"To be champion is one thing, but it’s another to do it in another dimension.&nbsp;

“So&nbsp;I am convinced and I hope, as an interested party, that everything can be resolved quickly.”&nbsp;

Lewis Hamilton is currently the winner at 15 different circuits in Formula 1:&nbsp;Red Bull Ring, Budapest, Barcelona, Spa, Mugello,&nbsp;Nürburgring,&nbsp;Portimao, Imola, Istanbul, Shanghai, Monaco, Montreal, Paul Ricard, Mexico City, Indianapolis&nbsp;

New Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said that he is unsure whether seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will sign a new contract with Mercedes. Hamilton is out of contract currently and is yet to agree fresh terms with Mercedes to continue in 2021 and beyond.

New Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said that he is unsure whether seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will sign a new contract with Mercedes. Hamilton is out of contract currently and is yet to agree fresh terms with Mercedes to continue in 2021 and beyond. With the start of new F1 season less than two months away, Domenicali revealed that he has had talks with Hamilton about his future during the winter break while conceding that the Briton hasn't told him whether he will pen a new deal with Mercedes. “I have spoken with Lewis, we talked during the Christmas period,” Domenicali told Sky Sport Italia. “He is preparing. He is not telling me if he will sign or not sign the renewal with Mercedes.” ALSO READ: From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 While Hamilton continues to train ahead of the new season, reports suggest that Mercedes are confident over a new deal. However, Domenicali expressed his doubts on whether Hamilton would call time on his F1 career when he has the golden opportunity to lift an unprecedented eighth F1 world title. "He has a great opportunity, not only speaking in terms of sports, to be the strongest in the world,” he explained. ALSO READ: Tokyo Games may be too big a gamble, disease expert says “He also has the opportunity to continue to have a role that goes beyond the sporting dimension, and he will be able to do so also in the future. "To be champion is one thing, but it’s another to do it in another dimension. “So I am convinced and I hope, as an interested party, that everything can be resolved quickly.” Lewis Hamilton is currently the winner at 15 different circuits in Formula 1: Red Bull Ring, Budapest, Barcelona, Spa, Mugello, Nürburgring, Portimao, Imola, Istanbul, Shanghai, Monaco, Montreal, Paul Ricard, Mexico City, Indianapolis

F1 CEO opens up about Lewis Hamilton's future with Mercedes

Vietnam’s first Formula One grand prix has been officially cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Friday.

The Vietnamese Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place in April on the streets of Hanoi as the third race of the season, but sources told Reuters in March that it was under threat.

“This has been an extremely difficult but necessary decision to reach in view of the continued uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic,” Vietnam Grand Prix Corp said in an emailed statement, adding that it would refund all tickets sold.

Vietnam has recorded over 1,110 COVID-19 infections, with 35 deaths, Ministry of Health data showed.

The start of the Formula One season was pushed back to July from March due to the pandemic, with extensive changes made to the 2020 calendar.

The total number of races was cut to 17 from the record 22 originally envisaged, with Vietnam becoming the 13th race from the original calendar to be axed this year.

Hanoi city authorities had hoped to hold the race in November, but Vietnam Grand Prix Corp Chief Executive Le Ngoc Chi said on Friday that cancellation emerged as the only option after a review of safety criteria.

Formula One only finalised its 2020 calendar in August, following six rounds of racing.

The 13 races announced before the final calendar was made public were all in Europe, after all four of the season’s races in the Americas were scrapped.

In its August announcement, Formula One cancelled the Chinese Grand Prix, while adding four more races - one in Turkey, two in Bahrain and one in Abu Dhabi - in the last two months of the year.

Reporting by Khanh Vu; Additional reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing

Vietnam’s first Formula One grand prix has been officially cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Friday. The Vietnamese Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place in April on the streets of Hanoi as the third race of the season, but sources told Reuters in March that it was under threat.

Vietnam’s first Formula One grand prix has been officially cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Friday. The Vietnamese Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place in April on the streets of Hanoi as the third race of the season, but sources told Reuters in March that it was under threat. “This has been an extremely difficult but necessary decision to reach in view of the continued uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic,” Vietnam Grand Prix Corp said in an emailed statement, adding that it would refund all tickets sold. Vietnam has recorded over 1,110 COVID-19 infections, with 35 deaths, Ministry of Health data showed. The start of the Formula One season was pushed back to July from March due to the pandemic, with extensive changes made to the 2020 calendar. The total number of races was cut to 17 from the record 22 originally envisaged, with Vietnam becoming the 13th race from the original calendar to be axed this year. Hanoi city authorities had hoped to hold the race in November, but Vietnam Grand Prix Corp Chief Executive Le Ngoc Chi said on Friday that cancellation emerged as the only option after a review of safety criteria. Formula One only finalised its 2020 calendar in August, following six rounds of racing. The 13 races announced before the final calendar was made public were all in Europe, after all four of the season’s races in the Americas were scrapped. In its August announcement, Formula One cancelled the Chinese Grand Prix, while adding four more races - one in Turkey, two in Bahrain and one in Abu Dhabi - in the last two months of the year. Reporting by Khanh Vu; Additional reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing

Vietnam cancels 2020 F1 race due to COVID-19 pandemic

Lewis Hamilton has offered a veiled apology for his claim that Formula One bosses are singling him out after he was hit with a 10-second penalty at the Russian Grand Prix.

Hamilton's bid to match Michael Schumacher's record of 91 victories in Sochi on Sunday was wrecked when he was punished with two five-second penalties for pre-race misdemeanours.

He had also been given two penalty points on his super license by the race stewards but they subsequently cancelled them and instead fined his team Mercedes.

The six-time world champion claimed afterwards F1's governing body, the FIA, were finding new ways to stop him from winning.

But in a social media post on Tuesday, Hamilton wrote: "I may not always get it right in the face of adversity.

"I may not always react the way you want me to when tensions are high, but I am only human after all and I am passionate about what I do.

"I'm learning and growing every day, and I'll take my lessons and keep fighting on to the next one. Thank you to those who continue to support and are right there fighting with me."

Hamilton will now have to wait until at least Germany's Eifel Grand Prix on October 11 to match Schumacher's all-time tally.

F1's motorsport managing director Ross Brawn called on the British driver to learn from the incident.

Brawn said: "Personally, I would go away, lick my wounds and think about how I could prevent such incidences again in the future.

"That's what I know Mercedes will be doing. I know many of the people from my time at the team and they will recognise they have made some mistakes.

"Bad luck and mistakes happen, but it's how you respond that matters. It's easy to think the world is against you but there is nearly always something you could have done differently and you can learn from."

The F1 circus next heads to the Nurburgring for the first time since 2013 for the 11th of 17 rounds this year.

Despite Valtteri Bottas's triumph on Sunday, Hamilton, who finished third in Sochi, will head to Germany with a 44-point lead in his quest to be crowned world champion for a record-equalling seventh time.

Lewis Hamilton has offered a veiled apology for his claim that Formula One bosses are singling him out after he was hit with a 10-second penalty at the Russian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has offered a veiled apology for his claim that Formula One bosses are singling him out after he was hit with a 10-second penalty at the Russian Grand Prix. Hamilton's bid to match Michael Schumacher's record of 91 victories in Sochi on Sunday was wrecked when he was punished with two five-second penalties for pre-race misdemeanours. He had also been given two penalty points on his super license by the race stewards but they subsequently cancelled them and instead fined his team Mercedes. The six-time world champion claimed afterwards F1's governing body, the FIA, were finding new ways to stop him from winning. But in a social media post on Tuesday, Hamilton wrote: "I may not always get it right in the face of adversity. "I may not always react the way you want me to when tensions are high, but I am only human after all and I am passionate about what I do. "I'm learning and growing every day, and I'll take my lessons and keep fighting on to the next one. Thank you to those who continue to support and are right there fighting with me." Hamilton will now have to wait until at least Germany's Eifel Grand Prix on October 11 to match Schumacher's all-time tally. F1's motorsport managing director Ross Brawn called on the British driver to learn from the incident. Brawn said: "Personally, I would go away, lick my wounds and think about how I could prevent such incidences again in the future. "That's what I know Mercedes will be doing. I know many of the people from my time at the team and they will recognise they have made some mistakes. "Bad luck and mistakes happen, but it's how you respond that matters. It's easy to think the world is against you but there is nearly always something you could have done differently and you can learn from." The F1 circus next heads to the Nurburgring for the first time since 2013 for the 11th of 17 rounds this year. Despite Valtteri Bottas's triumph on Sunday, Hamilton, who finished third in Sochi, will head to Germany with a 44-point lead in his quest to be crowned world champion for a record-equalling seventh time.

Hamilton offers veiled apology after F1 accusations

Lewis Hamilton limped to a record seventh British Grand Prix victory with his heart in mouth and a prayer on his lips after a dramatic last-lap puncture turned his Mercedes into a three-wheeler on Sunday.

In an astonishing end to a race he had dominated from pole position, the six-times world champion nursed his stricken Mercedes across the line to stretch his Formula One world championship lead to 30 points.

“I have definitely never experienced anything like that on the last lap,” said Hamilton after inspecting his barely-attached front left tyre.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second, but could have won had he not pitted for fresh tyres in a successful late bid to score an extra point for the fastest lap, assuming victory was out of reach.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third, another surprise for a team struggling for performance.

Hamilton’s team mate and closest rival Valtteri Bottas failed to score after also suffering a late puncture and finishing 11th, despite a one-two finish for the pair having looked a nailed-on certainty until late in the race.

“Up until that last lap everything was relatively smooth sailing,” said Hamilton of a race that was already extraordinary for the absence of spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I heard that his (Bottas’s) tyre went and I was just looking at mine and everything seemed fine. The car was still turning no problem... Those last few laps I started to back off and then just down the straight it just deflated.

“That was definitely a heart in the mouth kind of feeling... I was just praying to get around and not be too slow. I nearly didn’t get around the last few corners. Thank God we did.”

The victory was the 87th of Hamilton’s F1 career — leaving him four short of Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 — and his third in a row. It was also probably his greatest escape.

Verstappen’s race engineer summed it up over the team radio: “He’s a lucky boy.”.

The Dutch driver said he was happy with second place and brushed aside talk of a missed win in a race with two safety car periods.

“I could also pick up a puncture and then you lose a lot more,” he said. It’s so easy to say afterwards we should have just continued. But who would have said Lewis would have got the puncture?

“I don’t regret anything. I think we made the right decision.”

Mercedes, chasing a seventh successive title double, have won all four races this season.

<h2>RICCIARDO FOURTH</h2>

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Renault, ahead of future McLaren team mate Lando Norris, whose own team mate - Carlos Sainz - also had a puncture.

Frenchman Esteban Ocon ensured Renault’s double points finish in sixth, with compatriot Pierre Gasly seventh for AlphaTauri and British-based Thai Alexander Albon riding a rollercoaster of a race to eighth place.

Canadian Lance Stroll was ninth for Racing Point, and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took the final point.

The next round, the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix to mark Silverstone’s hosting of the first world championship race in 1950, is at the same circuit next weekend. But it will struggle to match Sunday’s sensation.

Only 19 of the 20 drivers started, with Racing Point stand-in Nico Hulkenberg failing to make it out of the garage due to power unit problems.

The German was replacing Mexican Sergio Perez, in quarantine after testing positive for the new coronavirus earlier in the week.All the drivers took part before the start in a stance against racism, with Hamilton one of 13 taking a knee as the other seven stood behind.

A World War Two Spitfire fighter plane flew overhead afterwards in a gesture of thanks for Britain’s National Health Service.

Lewis Hamilton limped to a record seventh British Grand Prix victory with his heart in mouth and a prayer on his lips after a dramatic last-lap puncture turned his Mercedes into a three-wheeler on Sunday.

Lewis Hamilton limped to a record seventh British Grand Prix victory with his heart in mouth and a prayer on his lips after a dramatic last-lap puncture turned his Mercedes into a three-wheeler on Sunday. In an astonishing end to a race he had dominated from pole position, the six-times world champion nursed his stricken Mercedes across the line to stretch his Formula One world championship lead to 30 points. “I have definitely never experienced anything like that on the last lap,” said Hamilton after inspecting his barely-attached front left tyre. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second, but could have won had he not pitted for fresh tyres in a successful late bid to score an extra point for the fastest lap, assuming victory was out of reach. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third, another surprise for a team struggling for performance. Hamilton’s team mate and closest rival Valtteri Bottas failed to score after also suffering a late puncture and finishing 11th, despite a one-two finish for the pair having looked a nailed-on certainty until late in the race. “Up until that last lap everything was relatively smooth sailing,” said Hamilton of a race that was already extraordinary for the absence of spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I heard that his (Bottas’s) tyre went and I was just looking at mine and everything seemed fine. The car was still turning no problem... Those last few laps I started to back off and then just down the straight it just deflated. “That was definitely a heart in the mouth kind of feeling... I was just praying to get around and not be too slow. I nearly didn’t get around the last few corners. Thank God we did.” The victory was the 87th of Hamilton’s F1 career — leaving him four short of Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 — and his third in a row. It was also probably his greatest escape. Verstappen’s race engineer summed it up over the team radio: “He’s a lucky boy.”. The Dutch driver said he was happy with second place and brushed aside talk of a missed win in a race with two safety car periods. “I could also pick up a puncture and then you lose a lot more,” he said. It’s so easy to say afterwards we should have just continued. But who would have said Lewis would have got the puncture? “I don’t regret anything. I think we made the right decision.” Mercedes, chasing a seventh successive title double, have won all four races this season. RICCIARDO FOURTH Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Renault, ahead of future McLaren team mate Lando Norris, whose own team mate - Carlos Sainz - also had a puncture. Frenchman Esteban Ocon ensured Renault’s double points finish in sixth, with compatriot Pierre Gasly seventh for AlphaTauri and British-based Thai Alexander Albon riding a rollercoaster of a race to eighth place. Canadian Lance Stroll was ninth for Racing Point, and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took the final point. The next round, the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix to mark Silverstone’s hosting of the first world championship race in 1950, is at the same circuit next weekend. But it will struggle to match Sunday’s sensation. Only 19 of the 20 drivers started, with Racing Point stand-in Nico Hulkenberg failing to make it out of the garage due to power unit problems. The German was replacing Mexican Sergio Perez, in quarantine after testing positive for the new coronavirus earlier in the week.All the drivers took part before the start in a stance against racism, with Hamilton one of 13 taking a knee as the other seven stood behind. A World War Two Spitfire fighter plane flew overhead afterwards in a gesture of thanks for Britain’s National Health Service.

Hamilton takes record seventh British GP win on three wheels

Formula One races in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States were called off for this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with three others added to the calendar.&nbsp;

F1 on Friday said that the Eifel Grand Prix will be hosting a race at the monumental Nurburgring, Germany on October 11, followed by the debut of Portuguese GP in Portmiao two weeks later and the Emilia Romagna GP in Italy on November 1.

The US Grand Prix was initially scheduled to start late October with Brazil and Mexico hosting races in November. Canada GP was already postponed from its mid-June date.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-2020-must-be-simple-and-safe-says-iocs-coates-315770" hreflang="en">Tokyo 2020 must be simple and safe, says IOC's Coates</a>

The addition of three new races take the season tally to 13 – all of them will be held in Europe. However, F1 is still optimistic of taking it to 15-18 races and end the season by mid-December following the completion of races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

“We are pleased that we continue to make strong progress in finalizing our plans for the 2020 season," F1 chairman Chase Carey said. "We also want to pay tribute to our incredible partners in the Americas and look forward to being back with them next season when they will once again be able to thrill millions of fans around the world.”

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-202021-season-to-start-on-september-12-315765" hreflang="en">Premier League 2020/21 season to start on September 12</a>

The Formula One season has started with three races already completed – two in Austria and one in Hungary.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, there have been only two positive cases for the dreaded COVID-19 among personnel at the track after nearly 15,000 tests.&nbsp;

Formula One races in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States were called off for this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with three others added to the calendar.

Formula One races in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States were called off for this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with three others added to the calendar. F1 on Friday said that the Eifel Grand Prix will be hosting a race at the monumental Nurburgring, Germany on October 11, followed by the debut of Portuguese GP in Portmiao two weeks later and the Emilia Romagna GP in Italy on November 1. The US Grand Prix was initially scheduled to start late October with Brazil and Mexico hosting races in November. Canada GP was already postponed from its mid-June date. ALSO READ: Tokyo 2020 must be simple and safe, says IOC's Coates The addition of three new races take the season tally to 13 – all of them will be held in Europe. However, F1 is still optimistic of taking it to 15-18 races and end the season by mid-December following the completion of races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. “We are pleased that we continue to make strong progress in finalizing our plans for the 2020 season," F1 chairman Chase Carey said. "We also want to pay tribute to our incredible partners in the Americas and look forward to being back with them next season when they will once again be able to thrill millions of fans around the world.” ALSO READ: Premier League 2020/21 season to start on September 12 The Formula One season has started with three races already completed – two in Austria and one in Hungary. Meanwhile, there have been only two positive cases for the dreaded COVID-19 among personnel at the track after nearly 15,000 tests.

Formula 1 2020: Three new races announced; United States GP among four scrapped

Red Bull won a race against time to fix Max Verstappen's car after the Dutch driver crashed on his way to the Hungarian Grand Prix starting grid on Sunday. Verstappen slid off at turn 12 on a slippery track, the car crunching into the tyre barrier and smashing the front wing.

Red Bull won a race against time to fix Max Verstappen's car after the Dutch driver crashed on his way to the Hungarian Grand Prix starting grid on Sunday. Verstappen slid off at turn 12 on a slippery track, the car crunching into the tyre barrier and smashing the front wing. "I hit the wall," Verstappen, who had qualified seventh for the third round of the Formula One season, said over the team radio. Verstappen nursed the car to the grid where mechanics swarmed around it, some running back to the garage for a new wing while others worked on the front left suspension as the clock ticked down to the start. "Incredible work guys, that's unbelievable. Thanks very much," said the 22-year-old after the work was completed in time. Verstappen started on pole position at the Hungaroring last year, but he and team mate Alex Albon have been wrestling with the car's handling this weekend.

Verstappen starts in Hungary despite crashing on way to grid

Formula One came back with a bang on Sunday as Finland’s Valtteri Bottas won a dramatic Austrian season-opener for champions Mercedes in a race with only 11 finishers and no spectators.

Charles Leclerc finished a surprise second for struggling Ferrari with McLaren’s Lando Norris celebrating his first F1 podium after a time penalty dropped Mercedes’ six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton to fourth.

“I managed to keep it together and control the race from my side and it’s a good start to the season,” said Bottas, who started on pole position and had to keep his cool through three safety car periods.

Norris, at 20 the youngest driver in the race and now the youngest Briton to stand on an F1 podium, also claimed a bonus point for fastest lap.

The race, on a sunny afternoon at the scenic Red Bull Ring was behind closed doors — a Formula One first — due to the COVID-19 pandemic that had put the season on hold since March.

The drivers gathered on the grid before the start in a show of unity against racism, with Hamilton and 13 others taking a knee in solidarity.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz made it a double points haul for McLaren in fifth, with Sergio Perez sixth for Racing Point and Pierre Gasly seventh for AlphaTauri.

Esteban Ocon, who last raced in 2018, took eighth for Renault on his return while Antonio Giovinazzi bagged ninth for Alfa Romeo and Sebastian Vettel, who had another nightmare, completed the top 10 for Ferrari.

Canadian Nicholas Latifi was the last car running with 11th for Williams.

There was drama even before the race when stewards performed a U-turn after a Red Bull challenge and dropped Hamilton from the front row to fifth on the grid for a qualifying error.

That also promoted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to the front row alongside Bottas.

Any hopes the Dutchman had of completing a hat-trick of Austrian wins disappeared when he suffered an early technical problem and became the season’s first retirement.

“I think it would have been an easy podium and third would have been a decent start to the season but what can you do?,” he said.

<h2>SAFETY CAR</h2>

The first safety car was deployed when Haas’s Kevin Magnussen spun off on lap 26 and it then came out again when George Russell parked up his stricken Williams.

The third was after Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo turned into a three-wheeler, a loose wheel bouncing off and across the track.

Bottas had Hamilton in his mirrors soon enough but the Briton was handed a five-second time penalty for causing a collision with Red Bull’s Alex Albon while defending second place.

The Thai spun off into the gravel, his podium hopes gone.

“It’s not been a great weekend for me, yesterday was entirely my fault and to get a penalty today... it is what it is,” said Hamilton.

Leclerc, whose team had struggled in qualifying with Vettel failing even to make the top 10, moved up to third against all expectations — which became second after the chequered flag.

“It feels like a victory today,” said the Monegasque.

Perez, who ran as high as third, lost out to Norris two laps from the end but the Mexican was already carrying a time penalty for speeding in the pit lane.

Anyone who had feared Mercedes enjoying a race of their own, after dominating practice and qualifying, need not have worried. They fretted over gearbox sensors and possible kerb damage as he race wore on.

The second race is at the same circuit next weekend, another Formula One first.

Formula One came back with a bang on Sunday as Finland’s Valtteri Bottas won a dramatic Austrian season-opener for champions Mercedes in a race with only 11 finishers and no spectators.

Formula One came back with a bang on Sunday as Finland’s Valtteri Bottas won a dramatic Austrian season-opener for champions Mercedes in a race with only 11 finishers and no spectators. Charles Leclerc finished a surprise second for struggling Ferrari with McLaren’s Lando Norris celebrating his first F1 podium after a time penalty dropped Mercedes’ six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton to fourth. “I managed to keep it together and control the race from my side and it’s a good start to the season,” said Bottas, who started on pole position and had to keep his cool through three safety car periods. Norris, at 20 the youngest driver in the race and now the youngest Briton to stand on an F1 podium, also claimed a bonus point for fastest lap. The race, on a sunny afternoon at the scenic Red Bull Ring was behind closed doors — a Formula One first — due to the COVID-19 pandemic that had put the season on hold since March. The drivers gathered on the grid before the start in a show of unity against racism, with Hamilton and 13 others taking a knee in solidarity. Spaniard Carlos Sainz made it a double points haul for McLaren in fifth, with Sergio Perez sixth for Racing Point and Pierre Gasly seventh for AlphaTauri. Esteban Ocon, who last raced in 2018, took eighth for Renault on his return while Antonio Giovinazzi bagged ninth for Alfa Romeo and Sebastian Vettel, who had another nightmare, completed the top 10 for Ferrari. Canadian Nicholas Latifi was the last car running with 11th for Williams. There was drama even before the race when stewards performed a U-turn after a Red Bull challenge and dropped Hamilton from the front row to fifth on the grid for a qualifying error. That also promoted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to the front row alongside Bottas. Any hopes the Dutchman had of completing a hat-trick of Austrian wins disappeared when he suffered an early technical problem and became the season’s first retirement. “I think it would have been an easy podium and third would have been a decent start to the season but what can you do?,” he said. SAFETY CAR The first safety car was deployed when Haas’s Kevin Magnussen spun off on lap 26 and it then came out again when George Russell parked up his stricken Williams. The third was after Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo turned into a three-wheeler, a loose wheel bouncing off and across the track. Bottas had Hamilton in his mirrors soon enough but the Briton was handed a five-second time penalty for causing a collision with Red Bull’s Alex Albon while defending second place. The Thai spun off into the gravel, his podium hopes gone. “It’s not been a great weekend for me, yesterday was entirely my fault and to get a penalty today... it is what it is,” said Hamilton. Leclerc, whose team had struggled in qualifying with Vettel failing even to make the top 10, moved up to third against all expectations — which became second after the chequered flag. “It feels like a victory today,” said the Monegasque. Perez, who ran as high as third, lost out to Norris two laps from the end but the Mexican was already carrying a time penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Anyone who had feared Mercedes enjoying a race of their own, after dominating practice and qualifying, need not have worried. They fretted over gearbox sensors and possible kerb damage as he race wore on. The second race is at the same circuit next weekend, another Formula One first.

Bottas wins dramatic Austrian opener

The head of the Shanghai Sports Bureau has told local media that the city has been offered to host two Formula One races this year but the decision has been made over to accept the offer.&nbsp;

The Formula One season has come to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. The season also included a race that was scheduled to take place at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 19 but was postponed.&nbsp;

The Formula One Management (FOM) still hope to run 15-18 races by the end of the year and has provided a revised schedule to Europeans tracks set to start in Austria without spectators on July 5.

“FOM asked us if Shanghai can hold two races,” Shanghai Administration of Sports director Xu Bin was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua.

“We have not made the final decision, depending on the potential changes in the epidemic situation.”

Amid growing fears of a second wave of coronavirus, as China tested thousands of residents in the capital Beijing, the city reported another 27 coronavirus cases which were reportedly domestically transmitted.

The head of the Shanghai Sports Bureau has told local media that the city has been offered to host two Formula One races this year but the decision has been made over to accept the offer.

The head of the Shanghai Sports Bureau has told local media that the city has been offered to host two Formula One races this year but the decision has been made over to accept the offer. The Formula One season has come to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. The season also included a race that was scheduled to take place at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 19 but was postponed. The Formula One Management (FOM) still hope to run 15-18 races by the end of the year and has provided a revised schedule to Europeans tracks set to start in Austria without spectators on July 5. “FOM asked us if Shanghai can hold two races,” Shanghai Administration of Sports director Xu Bin was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. “We have not made the final decision, depending on the potential changes in the epidemic situation.” Amid growing fears of a second wave of coronavirus, as China tested thousands of residents in the capital Beijing, the city reported another 27 coronavirus cases which were reportedly domestically transmitted.

China offered two Formula one races this year: Shanghai official

Sporting calendar has been left shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic and motorsport has also been affected heavily by the dreaded virus, postponing as many as nine races.

Sporting calendar has been left shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic and motorsport has also been affected heavily by the dreaded virus, postponing as many as nine races. The Canadian Grand Prix was the latest to join the list, consisting the likes of Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Netherlands, Monaco, Spain and Vietnam Grand Prix, to be postponed in the 2020 F1 season. One of the prominent voices in Formula One and one of two Indians to race in the sport – Karun Chandhok – in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo spoke about a lot of things ranging from the halted season, how the racing season could be revived, team dynamics in F1, virtual races, life in lockdown and more. ALSO READ: Exclusive: 'It is time to introspect' - Pankaj Advani opens up on COVID-19 situation, lockdown, sporting calendar and more Digvijay Singh Deo: Karun, you are in England and the news coming out of there does not make pleasant reading. How dire is it there? Karun Chandhok: The situation in England is not great at the moment, even the prime minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, has been admitted to the ICU. So it is tough, but to be honest it is the same as the rest of the world. I don't think the scenario is necessarily worse than the rest of Europe. Everyone is tracking a different curve and timeline. I think in a country like India, it's difficult to know what the actual numbers are because the population is so high and people aren't being tested enough. The same problem exists in the USA. We've all fighting a common enemy and every country is trying to deal with it the best way we can. DSD: You have an extremely young family as well so both Akshara and you have to be taking extra precautions. KC: We're very lucky because we live away from London, in the suburbs, so it is still possible to exercise self-isolation while still going out and being away from people, which is nice. The town that I live in has only 11,000 people, the population is probably less than that of my old colony in Chennai where I grew up. But for others who live in the heart of the city, it's difficult, whether you live in Delhi, Mumbai or London, it is tough to find space to isolate. DSD: And the other part of your family is in Chennai, your bother is a broadcaster and must be in Mumbai so the Chandhok's are scattered here and there at the moment... KC: It was my fathers' birthday yesterday, so we had a zoom call yesterday which involved about 20 family members from all across the world, including Australia, USA, all parts of Europe and India as well. So everyone is finding new ways of staying in touch with their loved ones. I just wish I had bought shares in 'zoom' before the coronavirus crisis started, that would have been a very fruitful investment. DSD: Let’s talk about formula one. Canadian GP has been postponed now as well. That’s the first nine races gone. Just like that... KC: Yes, nine races have been cancelled, and the decisions have been taken after due deliberation. The announcements are coming slowly, but that is because there is no immediate rush to do so. The promoters and race organisers can take their time. I personally do not think the season can start before august, and that itself is optimistic. I'm not a medical professional or a scientist so I don't know how long this crisis will carry on.but from what I'm reading and seeing in the news, I feel that the summer months will be able to flatten the curve and stop the spread. But formula one is a global event, unlike say the IPL or Wimbledon. So even if the situation improves in Europe, but not in Asia or South America, then the formula one will not be able to function. The travel restrictions need to be relaxed for people to come in from all over the world, as races take place in every corner of the globe. That's the tricky aspect for formula one, that the situation in the entire world needs to improve for the season to get up and running. However, on the flip-side, we can have a truncated season, unlike Wimbledon, which can only be held during a certain time in a year. Whereas in Formula One you can be a little more flexible and juggle the calendar to have some form of a campaign. You can race in the middle eastern countries in the winter and race in Europe in August. DSD: Let’s go back to those farcical scenes in Melbourne last month. F1 has the reputation of being a snobbish sport and the tamasha that unfolded in Melbourne is going to haunt the sport for a long long time. KC: I think it is wrong to solely blame F1 for what happened in Australia. The reality is that there were three parties involved in the decision-making process- the Formula One authorities, the Australian government/ local promoters and the governing body of the sport- FIA. There were problems of communication between those three parties, as Chase Carey, the formula one chief was in Vietnam, evaluating the situation there for the inaugural Hanoi GP. While the FIA head Jean Todt was in Europe. For the local promoters, the commercial aspect had to be looked at and there was a lot of money to be made. They also had to look at their relationship with the australian government, so the due process had to be followed. So overall it was the perfect storm. But the issue which wasn't handled well by the authorities was that of communication to the fans. Even on the Friday morning, there was news on the radio, urging fans to head to the track and people were cueing up outside the gate. So that was an error on the part of the F1 bosses. So the rest of it is hard for us to judge as there are so many layers that need to be considered. So the only thing I would fault the F1 for is the lack of communication to the fans. DSD: Let’s look at the scenarios. Bernie Ecclestone the former supremo of F1 feels the season is a write-off. Liberty says they can still salvage a season. With Canada now gone and with France looking unlikely as well you are looking at no races till the end of June. KC: There have to be at least eight rounds in a season to constitute an FIA World Championship. So if we start in August and continue the season till the second or third week of December, I think it's logistically possible to manage 12 or 13 race weekends. I think the biggest question is that of when can we start. There are enough European venues which will be willing host races if the world health organisation and the various governments clear it. I think all the European Grand Prix can be held. The Bahrain and Abu Dhabi races can be held towards December. I don't think the Singapore race will be possible as it is a street circuit and they will have to prepare the track. So for the Singapore GP to take place, they need to be told at least three months in advance, so it could happen maybe in December, but they would need to get the green light in august. So it is a slightly complicated situation. But the Chinese Grand Prix could take place, as the Shanghai track will be open in June. That would be an amazing story since china is where the crisis started. And finally, a quick North American leg can also happen depending on the pandemic situation there, with races in Texas and Mexico. So potentially a season could take place, but the main question is when it will be able to start. DSD: I spoke to Rohan Bopanna the other day and asked if he felt tennis season should resume under closed doors. F1 is thinking of the same as well but Bops said you forget about players and everyone flying in, quarantine regulations etc.thats a problem every sport is facing and unless we have a private island like the one UFC is proposing I find it difficult to believe that these restrictions will be lifted KC: As I said before, travel needs to resume, quarantines need to be wavered and various restrictions have to be lifted globally for the formula season to kick off. DSD: Economically, Karun, what is the hit we are looking at for the sport if there is no 2020 season.not just about drivers and teams there are others including possibly you not getting salaries KC: I think the reality is that the whole world is taking a hit. Regardless of the scale of the business, whether it be a local grocery store or a multinational corporation, each and every establishment of any sort is suffering. So Formula One is no different, everyone is in the same boat. The survival of F1 depends on how the sport reacts to this crisis. But there are changes being made, for example, there were rule changes that were going to take place in 2021, which have now been pushed back to 2022. That was going to be extremely expensive as the whole concept and designs of the car was going to be modified. The rules change might even get pushed back to 2023, so that is a big cost-saving strategy. Other measures are also being taken, a rule might be passed which means that the same 2020 cars will be used for the 2021 season. So that saves the cost of building and designing another car. Owners of the sport- the liberty group are very aware of the problems that are facing formula one, so I believe they know what needs to be done to help teams survive. Think of like a government, every government is trying to put together a package to help industries and businesses. So the F1, on a smaller scale is trying to do something similar. So F1 has to ensure that teams are provided with aid, but it is also difficult for them as the sport is also losing out on a lot of money. The rights fees for races aren't coming and there is no sponsorship money because the season is not on. In simple terms, if there are no races, there is no money flowing in. DSD: Mclaren has already come out and said two to four teams could fold. How significant are the operating margins? And I ask you this as you are closely involved with the sport and have a better understanding than us. KC: I think in terms of the top teams- Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari- as long as the parent companies and the factories continue to support them, they will be able to manage.those three have got enough financial muscle to survive the crisis. But the question mark remains over manufacturers like Renault, the automotive industry has taken a hit worldwide. So I'm sure their board is wondering what cutbacks they need to make to their F1 expenses. Now, these four are the manufacturers, then you have six independent teams. These independent teams spend about 100 million pounds a season to operate and compete in formula one. That sum is for a full season of 22 races. If there are fewer races, obviously less money will be spent. But the overheads of the teams are still the same, Racing Point, Williams and McLaren have announced that they are furloughing some of their staff. But as I mentioned before, the overheads of the infrastructure are still high for a team. So these teams need to figure out a way to spend I would estimate around 60-70 million pounds in the year to survive. Now a huge portion of that money comes from tv right, media rights and race hosting rights. All of this rights money constitutes a formula one pot, the teams share 65 per cent of the sum, while F1 keeps the rest of the money. Now in order for the sport to survive and for the teams to survive, the F1 could make an exception and change that equation for this year. The MotoGP have done that, they have given more money to the independent teams this year to help through this financial crisis. DSD: There also the power struggle going on about reduced budget caps. I find merit in the argument of the big teams, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull that we also sell parts to other teams so you have to factor in higher research and development costs for us. KC: I don't think that should be the case. The devil is in the detail. These are all arguments that carry on in the political world of F1. But actually it's quite simple, if you take engine development out of the budget cap, making it an operational cap for the race team, then it becomes the same for every competitor a separate engine development cap can stop the manufacturers from needing to spend more. So everything is workable, it's just that unfortunately the people associated with F1 are wired in such a way that they think of themselves sport. But I guess that is the nature of sport, you have to be selfish to a certain degree to be successful. But at this point F1 needs strong leaders, they need Chase Carey and Jean Todt to step up and come up with a concrete plan to deal with the crisis.we are at a crossroads, where F1 could go back to having more independent teams, which means the manufacturers would become engine suppliers. That was the model that existed for a long time till the early 1990s, when you had independent teams with an engine partner. So if the auto industry doesn't recover and the manufacturers feel like they need to cut back on their expenditure, maybe they will go back to being engine suppliers. For example, that is what honda are doing right now, they are not a full team, they're just partners with red bull and there's nothing wrong with that, it is actually part of the DNA of the sport. DSD: Trust is a huge part of the problem. Team dynamics aren’t exactly the greatest at the moment. The Ferrari settlement with the FIA didn’t go down well with the teams. Are teams entitled to want more transparency and is the perceived lack of transparency hurting the sport? KC: I think I can understand why the teams are not happy about Ferrari's settlement with the FIA. If I'm honest I'm a little surprised that the FIA announced that there was some sort of settlement with Ferrari. In the past, when Bernie Ecclestone was in charge, I'm sure there were many deals done that none of us even knew about since they happened behind closed doors. For whatever reason, the FIA announced they had made the settlement and that upset all the other teams. But because of the coronavirus crisis, that issue has been shelved for the time being. DSD: I want to also understand how do drivers stay fit. Most have gyms and simulators at home. Other sportspersons around the world like a tennis player do not have access to say a tennis court. Do F1 drivers then have an advantage or they need to spend time in the car? KC: Nothing beats being in an actual car, but I think it's the same for every sportsperson at the moment. I think most people have some sort of training set up at home. I, for example, have a rowing machine, so I've been spending about an hour every day on that. Some people are going for a run outdoors if it is safe to do so. They are finding ways to maintain their fitness levels. Mercedes driver Valterri Bottas has gone to Finland, where the population is very low and he's skiing to stay fit. Mclaren driver Carlos Sainz has gone back home to Madrid where he has a gym set up. Everyone is just trying to make it work somehow. It's harder for the Olympic athletes because they spend four years aiming to peak at a certain point. So I feel bad for track and field athletes because they would have prepared to peak for Tokyo 2020, and now it has been postponed by more than a year. So it must be a huge challenge for them to adapt to the new schedule. DSD: Pankaj Advani says when sport resumes there will be a level playing field for initially a few months as most will be rusty due to lack of practice.do you see that happening in F1 considering that no development has been going on since Melbourne? KC: This where the organisational level of a team or a federation comes into play. For example, as soon as the lockdown happened, Red Bull sent their driver Alex Albon all kinds of equipment which would help him train at home. So various simulation tools were sent to ensure that he kept sharp and kept training. So the preparation of the teams who are managed well will not be affected greatly at this time. Pierre Gassly is living with his trainer at the moment, so essentially they live like a family.this is when the well-run Olympic or sporting federations will be able to help their athletes because that's what the job of any sporting body is. DSD: Now at the beginning, I did say that F1 sort of is acknowledged as a snobbish sport but teams have been working to produce breathing kits and other equipment to battle pandemic. KC: There are many ways in which the F1 is helping. Seven of the teams in the UK have come together for an initiative called 'project pitlane' which has been set up to manufacture medical equipment. Mercedes have manufactured a C-Pap machine, which helps coronavirus patients with lung infections breathe more easily. But what is really great that Mercedes have made the design and specifications available on an 'open source' basis. So that means that anyone can take the design to medical equipment manufacturers anywhere in the world, and they can produce the same machine, which will hopefully help those in need. I think this is a fantastic initiative by Mercedes. The other teams are working on creating ventilator systems. I was speaking to one of the engineers the other day, and he said that British military was actually working on the design for these set of ventilators for two years, but they were not able to put together a final product. But the F1 engineers have been able to turn that working design into a product that is ready for testing on patients, in just two weeks. So that gives you an idea about the speed at which these F1 engineers work. They see a problem at one race and that has to be solved in two weeks time for the next Grand Prix. So when you get the heads of engineers from the seven teams together, that is what they are capable of. DSD: Want to end this by asking you what you think about the virtual races and do we get to see you competing in one of them? KC: The virtual races are fun, but what you will notice is those who are participating either have no children or have children who they can keep occupied with toys and other activities. I, on the other hand, have 16 month old- whose nickname is captain chaos and doesn't sit still for a moment. If I had a gaming pod, he would be grabbing at it and not let me complete the race. So I think I'll have to wait for at least a couple more years before I can take part in the virtual races.

Exclusive: 'Formula One is no different, everyone is in same boat' - Karun Chandhok opens up on halted F1 season, life in lockdown and more

Williams revealed on Friday that they are considering selling the Formula One team after a multi-million pound drop in the company's financial results.

The William Grand Prix Holdings group reported an adjusted loss of £13 million ($15.9 million) for the year ending 2019.

After posting a £12.9 million profit in 2018, Williams have responded to the blow by seeking new investment.

A minority or majority stake will be offered to investors, along with the option for an outright buy-out.

"The WGPH board believes that the strategic review and formal sale process is the right and prudent thing to do in order to take time to consider a full range of options and put the Formula One team in the best possible position for the future," a Williams statement said.

"As part of this new strategic direction, the WGPH board is undertaking a review of all the various strategic options available to the company."

The British-based team are yet to receive any formal approaches but confirmed "preliminary discussions" have taken place with possible investors.

Despite the change of approach, the company said it has both the funds and the intent to reclaim its place on the grid when Formula One returns after the coronavirus crisis.

"Any interested party participating in the formal sale process will be required to enter into a non-disclosure agreement with WGPH on terms satisfactory to the WGPH board," the statement said.

"The company is not in receipt of any approaches at the time of this announcement and confirms that it is in preliminary discussions with a small number of parties regarding a potential investment in the company. There can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer will be made.

"While the company has faced a number of challenges, Williams currently remains funded and ready to resume racing when the calendar allows in 2020."

Williams revealed on Friday that they are considering selling the Formula One team after a multi-million pound drop in the company's financial results. The William Grand Prix Holdings group reported an adjusted loss of £13 million ($15.

Williams revealed on Friday that they are considering selling the Formula One team after a multi-million pound drop in the company's financial results. The William Grand Prix Holdings group reported an adjusted loss of £13 million ($15.9 million) for the year ending 2019. After posting a £12.9 million profit in 2018, Williams have responded to the blow by seeking new investment. A minority or majority stake will be offered to investors, along with the option for an outright buy-out. "The WGPH board believes that the strategic review and formal sale process is the right and prudent thing to do in order to take time to consider a full range of options and put the Formula One team in the best possible position for the future," a Williams statement said. "As part of this new strategic direction, the WGPH board is undertaking a review of all the various strategic options available to the company." The British-based team are yet to receive any formal approaches but confirmed "preliminary discussions" have taken place with possible investors. Despite the change of approach, the company said it has both the funds and the intent to reclaim its place on the grid when Formula One returns after the coronavirus crisis. "Any interested party participating in the formal sale process will be required to enter into a non-disclosure agreement with WGPH on terms satisfactory to the WGPH board," the statement said. "The company is not in receipt of any approaches at the time of this announcement and confirms that it is in preliminary discussions with a small number of parties regarding a potential investment in the company. There can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer will be made. "While the company has faced a number of challenges, Williams currently remains funded and ready to resume racing when the calendar allows in 2020."

Williams considers selling F1 team after £13m loss

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz will replace four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, while Daniel Ricciardo has signed a "multi-year" deal with McLaren from 2021.

Sainz, 25, will leave McLaren following the 2020 season to partner 22-year-old Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, forming the team's youngest pairing in the past 50 years.

"With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family," Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said in a statement on Thursday.

"We've embarked on a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1. It will be a long journey, not without its difficulties," he added, referring to the additional challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.

"We believe that a driver pairing with the talent and personality of Charles and Carlos... will be the best possible combination to help us reach the goals we have set ourselves."

Sainz emerged in pole position to succeed Vettel at Maranello after the German announced Tuesday he was quitting Ferrari after talks over a new contract broke down.

Sainz, whose father, also Carlos, is a two-time world rally champion, has previously driven for Red Bull's feeder team Toro Rosso and Renault before impressing with McLaren last season.

He secured the once all-conquering British team's first podium place in almost six years in Brazil last year.

Signing Sainz will also end any lingering speculation about six-time champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.

"I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I'm excited about my future with the team," said Sainz, who is expected to play a supporting role alongside Leclerc.

"I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I'm really looking forward to going racing again with them this season."

<h2>- Domino effect -</h2>

Australian Ricciardo will drive for McLaren next season when he takes over the seat left vacant by Sainz.

Ricciardo, 30, will line up alongside Britain's Lando Norris, 20, in 2021 after he leaves Renault at the end of this season.

"Daniel is a proven race-winner and his experience, commitment and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren and our mission to return to the front of the field," said McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl.

"With Daniel and Lando as teammates, I believe we have two racers who will continue to excite our fans and help the team grow."

Ricciardo has won seven races and recorded 29 podium finishes since his F1 debut with the HRT team at the British Grand Prix in 2011.

He drove for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso in 2012 and 2013 before making the jump to the flagship Red Bull team in 2014. He finished third in the drivers' standings in 2014 and 2016.

However, he failed to muster a single top-three finish in a disappointing first season at Renault.

Ricciardo's exit at Renault could open the door for Fernando Alonso to reunite with the team he won world titles with in 2005 and 2006, although they are reportedly keen to find an in-house replacement.

Alonso, 38, quit F1 in 2018 but hasn't ruled out a return to the sport.&nbsp;

Vettel's future meanwhile remains uncertain.

"What's been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life," said the 32-year-old Vettel.

"One needs to use one's imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future."

After the first 10 races of the coronavirus-hit 2020 campaign were either cancelled or postponed, organisers hope to start the season in Austria with back-to-back races on July 5 and 12.

F1 chief Chase Carey last week insisted a 15-18 race season was still possible, but he admitted that all scenarios are on the table "including the remote possibility of no racing in 2020".

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz will replace four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, while Daniel Ricciardo has signed a "multi-year" deal with McLaren from 2021.

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz will replace four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, while Daniel Ricciardo has signed a "multi-year" deal with McLaren from 2021. Sainz, 25, will leave McLaren following the 2020 season to partner 22-year-old Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, forming the team's youngest pairing in the past 50 years. "With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family," Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said in a statement on Thursday. "We've embarked on a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1. It will be a long journey, not without its difficulties," he added, referring to the additional challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. "We believe that a driver pairing with the talent and personality of Charles and Carlos... will be the best possible combination to help us reach the goals we have set ourselves." Sainz emerged in pole position to succeed Vettel at Maranello after the German announced Tuesday he was quitting Ferrari after talks over a new contract broke down. Sainz, whose father, also Carlos, is a two-time world rally champion, has previously driven for Red Bull's feeder team Toro Rosso and Renault before impressing with McLaren last season. He secured the once all-conquering British team's first podium place in almost six years in Brazil last year. Signing Sainz will also end any lingering speculation about six-time champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. "I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I'm excited about my future with the team," said Sainz, who is expected to play a supporting role alongside Leclerc. "I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I'm really looking forward to going racing again with them this season." - Domino effect - Australian Ricciardo will drive for McLaren next season when he takes over the seat left vacant by Sainz. Ricciardo, 30, will line up alongside Britain's Lando Norris, 20, in 2021 after he leaves Renault at the end of this season. "Daniel is a proven race-winner and his experience, commitment and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren and our mission to return to the front of the field," said McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl. "With Daniel and Lando as teammates, I believe we have two racers who will continue to excite our fans and help the team grow." Ricciardo has won seven races and recorded 29 podium finishes since his F1 debut with the HRT team at the British Grand Prix in 2011. He drove for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso in 2012 and 2013 before making the jump to the flagship Red Bull team in 2014. He finished third in the drivers' standings in 2014 and 2016. However, he failed to muster a single top-three finish in a disappointing first season at Renault. Ricciardo's exit at Renault could open the door for Fernando Alonso to reunite with the team he won world titles with in 2005 and 2006, although they are reportedly keen to find an in-house replacement. Alonso, 38, quit F1 in 2018 but hasn't ruled out a return to the sport. Vettel's future meanwhile remains uncertain. "What's been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life," said the 32-year-old Vettel. "One needs to use one's imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future." After the first 10 races of the coronavirus-hit 2020 campaign were either cancelled or postponed, organisers hope to start the season in Austria with back-to-back races on July 5 and 12. F1 chief Chase Carey last week insisted a 15-18 race season was still possible, but he admitted that all scenarios are on the table "including the remote possibility of no racing in 2020".

Sainz to succeed Vettel at Ferrari as Ricciardo heads to McLaren

The French Grand Prix scheduled for June 28 was cancelled on Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers announced.

"Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French state, making it impossible to maintain our event," the race's managing director Eric Boullier said.

The race at Le Castellet becomes the 10th leg of the decimated 2020 championship to be either scrapped (Australia, Monaco, France) or postponed (Bahrain, China, Vietnam, Netherlands, Spain, Azerbaijan, Canada).

The French Grand Prix scheduled for June 28 was cancelled on Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers announced. "Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French state, making it impossible to maintain our event," the race's managing director Eric Boullier said.

The French Grand Prix scheduled for June 28 was cancelled on Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers announced. "Given the evolution of the situation linked to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the French Grand Prix takes note of the decisions announced by the French state, making it impossible to maintain our event," the race's managing director Eric Boullier said. The race at Le Castellet becomes the 10th leg of the decimated 2020 championship to be either scrapped (Australia, Monaco, France) or postponed (Bahrain, China, Vietnam, Netherlands, Spain, Azerbaijan, Canada).

French Formula One Grand Prix cancelled over coronavirus - organisers

Formula One's drivers will battle it out in an Esports Virtual Grand Prix series in a bid to give fans their racing fix while the season is delayed by the coronavirus.

The 2020 campaign has been put on hold due to the pandemic and races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Holland, Spain and Monaco were all postponed.

Formula One chiefs are aiming to start racing in Azerbaijan on June 7, but to fill the void, for now, the sport has asked current F1 drivers to play a racing game featuring as-yet-unnamed celebrity guests.

"Featuring a number of current F1 drivers, the series has been created to enable fans to continue watching Formula 1 races virtually, despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has affected this season's opening race calendar," a statement said.

"The first race of the series will see current F1 drivers line up on the grid alongside a host of stars to be announced in due course.&nbsp;

"In order to guarantee the participants safety at this time, each driver will join the race remotely."

F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris took part in two separate virtual races last weekend following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix.

The races will be run for 28 laps for around 90 minutes and will take place at the same time as the postponed Grands Prix would have occurred.

The events start this weekend with the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix run on the official 2019 F1 video game.

Viewers will be able to tune in via YouTube, Facebook and Twitch with a qualifying session to determine the grid preceding the race itself.

Results will not count towards the F1 world championship, but the plan is to run the virtual tournament until real racing can return.

Formula One's drivers will battle it out in an Esports Virtual Grand Prix series in a bid to give fans their racing fix while the season is delayed by the coronavirus.

Formula One's drivers will battle it out in an Esports Virtual Grand Prix series in a bid to give fans their racing fix while the season is delayed by the coronavirus. The 2020 campaign has been put on hold due to the pandemic and races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Holland, Spain and Monaco were all postponed. Formula One chiefs are aiming to start racing in Azerbaijan on June 7, but to fill the void, for now, the sport has asked current F1 drivers to play a racing game featuring as-yet-unnamed celebrity guests. "Featuring a number of current F1 drivers, the series has been created to enable fans to continue watching Formula 1 races virtually, despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation that has affected this season's opening race calendar," a statement said. "The first race of the series will see current F1 drivers line up on the grid alongside a host of stars to be announced in due course. "In order to guarantee the participants safety at this time, each driver will join the race remotely." F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris took part in two separate virtual races last weekend following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix. The races will be run for 28 laps for around 90 minutes and will take place at the same time as the postponed Grands Prix would have occurred. The events start this weekend with the Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix run on the official 2019 F1 video game. Viewers will be able to tune in via YouTube, Facebook and Twitch with a qualifying session to determine the grid preceding the race itself. Results will not count towards the F1 world championship, but the plan is to run the virtual tournament until real racing can return.

F1 drivers to stage virtual reality races

Three Formula One team staff members have been isolated at the Australian Grand Prix while tests are conducted for the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday, casting a shadow over the opening race of the year.

Two were from the Haas F1 team and one from McLaren.

"Two personnel were showing some symptoms so they got themselves checked out and have put themselves into self-isolation, as they should, while they await results," a Haas official told AFP.

A McLaren official added: "We can confirm that one team member has self-isolated in the hotel as a precaution, in line with our policy, after showing symptoms similar to coronavirus.

"We expect to receive the results overnight. The team is operating as per our normal schedule."

They were tested at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne as the teams prepare for the race on Sunday. It is not clear what it might mean for the grand prix if the results are positive.

Victorian state Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday said it was only a matter of time before large sporting and cultural events were cancelled, but that that stage had not been reached yet.

Read More:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-gp-hamilton-secures-pole-vettel-second-13784/amp"> Australian GP: Hamilton secures pole, Vettel second</a>

Earlier this week, Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Andrew Westacott ruled out the race following the lead of Bahrain by barring spectators, with hundreds of thousands expected over the weekend.

The Chinese Grand Prix is the only race to be postponed so far, although the first three stops on the MotoGP calendar, in Qatar, Thailand and the United States, have been either delayed or cancelled.

Selfie ban:

All Formula One teams are in Australia, including powerhouse Ferrari and AlphaTauri from their bases in Italy, which is now in lockdown to halt the spread of the disease.

Australia banned travel from Italy Wednesday and opened a US$1.6 billion healthcare war chest in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, as locally detected infections hit 124. Three people have died. Victoria state, where the race is being held, has 21 infections.

Read More: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lewis-hamilton-takes-pole-at-australian-grand-prix-203692">Lewis Hamilton takes pole at Australian Grand Prix</a>

With concerns growing, race chiefs said drivers would not take part in autograph sessions or pose for selfies, while Renault's Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon pulled out of scheduled press conference Wednesday.

"Our drivers were supposed to be with us for this event but due to the situation we've excused them for the occasion. I hope you understand why we are taking such measures," team principal Cyril Abiteboul said.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/motor-racing-verstappen-wins-brazil-gp-thriller-as-ferraris-collide-262825">Motor racing: Verstappen wins Brazil GP thriller as Ferraris collide</a>

Over the weekend, Formula One's governing body, the International Automobile Federation, said it was establishing what it called a "crisis cell" to meet every two days to monitor the rapidly increasing global threat posed by the virus.

"The FIA will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming competitions and take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public, including the postponement of competitions where necessary,"

Three Formula One team staff members have been isolated at the Australian Grand Prix while tests are conducted for the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday, casting a shadow over the opening race of the year.

Three Formula One team staff members have been isolated at the Australian Grand Prix while tests are conducted for the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday, casting a shadow over the opening race of the year. Two were from the Haas F1 team and one from McLaren. "Two personnel were showing some symptoms so they got themselves checked out and have put themselves into self-isolation, as they should, while they await results," a Haas official told AFP. A McLaren official added: "We can confirm that one team member has self-isolated in the hotel as a precaution, in line with our policy, after showing symptoms similar to coronavirus. "We expect to receive the results overnight. The team is operating as per our normal schedule." They were tested at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne as the teams prepare for the race on Sunday. It is not clear what it might mean for the grand prix if the results are positive. Victorian state Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday said it was only a matter of time before large sporting and cultural events were cancelled, but that that stage had not been reached yet. Read More: Australian GP: Hamilton secures pole, Vettel second Earlier this week, Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Andrew Westacott ruled out the race following the lead of Bahrain by barring spectators, with hundreds of thousands expected over the weekend. The Chinese Grand Prix is the only race to be postponed so far, although the first three stops on the MotoGP calendar, in Qatar, Thailand and the United States, have been either delayed or cancelled. Selfie ban: All Formula One teams are in Australia, including powerhouse Ferrari and AlphaTauri from their bases in Italy, which is now in lockdown to halt the spread of the disease. Australia banned travel from Italy Wednesday and opened a US$1.6 billion healthcare war chest in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, as locally detected infections hit 124. Three people have died. Victoria state, where the race is being held, has 21 infections. Read More: Lewis Hamilton takes pole at Australian Grand Prix With concerns growing, race chiefs said drivers would not take part in autograph sessions or pose for selfies, while Renault's Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon pulled out of scheduled press conference Wednesday. "Our drivers were supposed to be with us for this event but due to the situation we've excused them for the occasion. I hope you understand why we are taking such measures," team principal Cyril Abiteboul said. Also Read: Motor racing: Verstappen wins Brazil GP thriller as Ferraris collide Over the weekend, Formula One's governing body, the International Automobile Federation, said it was establishing what it called a "crisis cell" to meet every two days to monitor the rapidly increasing global threat posed by the virus. "The FIA will evaluate the calendar of its forthcoming competitions and take any action required to help protect the global motor sport community and the wider public, including the postponement of competitions where necessary,"

Formula One team staff tested for virus at Australian GP

Ferrari Formula One boss Mattia Binotto Tuesday urged his team to "put a smile on people's faces" at the Australian Grand Prix as Italy went into lockdown to combat coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/all-italian-sporting-events-including-serie-a-suspended-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-285360" hreflang="en">All Italian sporting events including Serie A suspended due to coronavirus outbreak</a>

Most teams, including the Scuderia, are already in Melbourne or en route for the opening race of the year on Sunday, which organisers have said will go ahead as scheduled in front of packed grandstands despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serie-a-fixture-delayed-due-to-confusion-over-italian-sports-ministers-post-calling-for-suspension-of-league-285134" hreflang="en">Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league</a>

In contrast, all sporting events in Italy have been suspended until April 3 as part of tough measures announced by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday to tackle the disease, and Bahrain, the season's second race, has barred fans.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/inter-milan-chairman-zhang-lashes-out-on-serie-a-chairman-over-coronavirus-284172">Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus</a>

Italy's clampdown came into force after the country reported 97 more deaths on Monday, taking its toll to 463. Australia has recorded three deaths with 101 confirmed cases as of Tuesday morning.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-bahrain-grand-prix-will-be-held-with-no-spectators-due-to-coronavirus-fears-285163" hreflang="en">F1: Bahrain Grand Prix will be held with no spectators due to coronavirus fears</a>

Ferarri said in a statement that despite it being "a very difficult time in Italy" the Australian Grand Prix would start as planned and the Scuderia "will be there".

Binotto added that he hoped the Maranello-based team, and the Grand Prix weekend as a whole, could help take people's minds off the crisis.

"At what is a difficult time for Italy and the world as a whole, as part of a global sport, it is our obligation to try and put a smile on people's faces as they prepare to watch the first race of the season with the same sense of anticipation as ourselves," he said.

Ferrari head into the season with a new SF1000 car, which is narrower than last season's SF90, and with a deeper red colouring.

The team is pinning its hopes on the machine earning the drivers' and constructors' titles that have eluded them for 12 and 11 years respectively.

"After a long winter working on building and developing our car, the time has come to get the first indication of our performance level and how effective are the improvements we have introduced over the past few months," said Binotto.

"We know that the opposition is strong, but we also know that it is the start of a long season where development rate, reliability, and our operational effectiveness will be key."

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, who impressed on his debut last season, will again be in the cockpits.

Vettel said he was keen to get racing underway after pre-season testing in Spain suggested world champions Mercedes would be the team to beat once more.

"The first race of the season is always special and I think it will allow us to get a better idea than we had in testing as to what the hierarchy is between the teams," said the German.

He added that the Albert Park track was "a real technical challenge and that's probably the reason we drivers like it so much".&nbsp;

Ferrari has nine wins in Australia, the first through Gerhard Berger in 1987 and the last from Vettel in 2018.

Ferrari Formula One boss Mattia Binotto Tuesday urged his team to "put a smile on people's faces" at the Australian Grand Prix as Italy went into lockdown to combat coronavirus.

Ferrari Formula One boss Mattia Binotto Tuesday urged his team to "put a smile on people's faces" at the Australian Grand Prix as Italy went into lockdown to combat coronavirus. Also read: All Italian sporting events including Serie A suspended due to coronavirus outbreak Most teams, including the Scuderia, are already in Melbourne or en route for the opening race of the year on Sunday, which organisers have said will go ahead as scheduled in front of packed grandstands despite the coronavirus outbreak. Also read: Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league In contrast, all sporting events in Italy have been suspended until April 3 as part of tough measures announced by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday to tackle the disease, and Bahrain, the season's second race, has barred fans. Also read: Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus Italy's clampdown came into force after the country reported 97 more deaths on Monday, taking its toll to 463. Australia has recorded three deaths with 101 confirmed cases as of Tuesday morning. Also read: F1: Bahrain Grand Prix will be held with no spectators due to coronavirus fears Ferarri said in a statement that despite it being "a very difficult time in Italy" the Australian Grand Prix would start as planned and the Scuderia "will be there". Binotto added that he hoped the Maranello-based team, and the Grand Prix weekend as a whole, could help take people's minds off the crisis. "At what is a difficult time for Italy and the world as a whole, as part of a global sport, it is our obligation to try and put a smile on people's faces as they prepare to watch the first race of the season with the same sense of anticipation as ourselves," he said. Ferrari head into the season with a new SF1000 car, which is narrower than last season's SF90, and with a deeper red colouring. The team is pinning its hopes on the machine earning the drivers' and constructors' titles that have eluded them for 12 and 11 years respectively. "After a long winter working on building and developing our car, the time has come to get the first indication of our performance level and how effective are the improvements we have introduced over the past few months," said Binotto. "We know that the opposition is strong, but we also know that it is the start of a long season where development rate, reliability, and our operational effectiveness will be key." Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, who impressed on his debut last season, will again be in the cockpits. Vettel said he was keen to get racing underway after pre-season testing in Spain suggested world champions Mercedes would be the team to beat once more. "The first race of the season is always special and I think it will allow us to get a better idea than we had in testing as to what the hierarchy is between the teams," said the German. He added that the Albert Park track was "a real technical challenge and that's probably the reason we drivers like it so much". Ferrari has nine wins in Australia, the first through Gerhard Berger in 1987 and the last from Vettel in 2018.

Formula One: Ferrari wants to put 'smiles on faces' as Italy locks down

Fernando Alonso will race for Arrow McLaren SP at this year's Indianapolis 500 where the Spaniard will try to complete motor sport's 'Triple Crown' with a victory, the team announced on Tuesday.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-hot-wheels-that-will-mesmerise-fans-on-tracks-of-formula-one-2020-281517">New hot wheels that will mesmerise fans on F-1 tracks this year</a>&nbsp;

Alonso is hoping to become only the second driver after the late Briton Graham Hill to complete the so-called 'Triple Crown of Motorsport', having already secured wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 Hours.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chinese-f1-grand-prix-postponed-due-to-continued-spread-of-novel-coronavirus-280489">Chinese F1 Grand Prix postponed due to coronavirus</a>

"I am a racer and the Indy 500 is the greatest race in the world. I love the incredible fans who make it so special for all of us drivers and make me want to come back," Alonso, 38, said in a news release.

"I have maximum respect for this race and everyone who competes in it and all I want to do is race against them and give my best, as always."

Alonso made his debut at the famous oval circuit in 2017 when he led for 27 laps but finished a frustrating 24th after suffering a blown engine with 21 laps to go.

The double Formula One champion did not return for the 2018 edition and last year failed to qualify.

At Indianapolis, he will guide his new team's two young full-time drivers, American Oliver Askew and Mexico's Pato O'Ward.

"It was important for me to explore my options for this race but Arrow McLaren SP has always been at the top," said Alonso.

"I have a special relationship with McLaren; we've been through a lot together and that creates a bond, a loyalty that is strong."

Fernando Alonso will race for Arrow McLaren SP at this year's Indianapolis 500 where the Spaniard will try to complete motor sport's 'Triple Crown' with a victory, the team announced on Tuesday.

Fernando Alonso will race for Arrow McLaren SP at this year's Indianapolis 500 where the Spaniard will try to complete motor sport's 'Triple Crown' with a victory, the team announced on Tuesday. Also see: New hot wheels that will mesmerise fans on F-1 tracks this year Alonso is hoping to become only the second driver after the late Briton Graham Hill to complete the so-called 'Triple Crown of Motorsport', having already secured wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 Hours. Also read: Chinese F1 Grand Prix postponed due to coronavirus "I am a racer and the Indy 500 is the greatest race in the world. I love the incredible fans who make it so special for all of us drivers and make me want to come back," Alonso, 38, said in a news release. "I have maximum respect for this race and everyone who competes in it and all I want to do is race against them and give my best, as always." Alonso made his debut at the famous oval circuit in 2017 when he led for 27 laps but finished a frustrating 24th after suffering a blown engine with 21 laps to go. The double Formula One champion did not return for the 2018 edition and last year failed to qualify. At Indianapolis, he will guide his new team's two young full-time drivers, American Oliver Askew and Mexico's Pato O'Ward. "It was important for me to explore my options for this race but Arrow McLaren SP has always been at the top," said Alonso. "I have a special relationship with McLaren; we've been through a lot together and that creates a bond, a loyalty that is strong."

Spanish racing driver Alonso joins Arrow McLaren for Indianapolis 500

New hot wheels that will mesmerise fans on F-1 tracks this year

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates.

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates. Virat (who was among those who carried Tendulkar), had said that "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him." Also read: Let's all come together and vote for Sachin Tendulkar: Virat Kohli appeals to fans ahead of Laureus Sports Award The moment that had been nominated by the Laureus Sports Foundation was called "Carried On the Shoulder Of A Nation". The foundation launched this category for public voting, and Sachin Tendulkar got the most votes. 🔈 Sound on 🔈 A powerful, strong and moving tribute to a room full of sporting legends from @sachin_rt in honour of Nelson Mandela and the incredible power of sport to unite and inspire 👏#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/0z3mNatUFh — Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020 × The Laureus Sporting Moment Award is for the moments when sports has been a reason for the unification of people. ICC World Cup 2011 was Tendulkar's sixth attempt since 1983, after the win players Sachin Tendulkar had been a key player for the Indian cricket team during his tenure for the Men in Blue (1989-2013) scoring 34,357 runs across all formats. He recently was a part of the 'Bushfire cricket Bash', where he coached Pontings' XI, and also played an over bowled by Ellyse Perry. Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi jointly won the Sportsman of the Year award, whereas, American Gymnast Simone Biles won the Sportswoman of the Year award. List of winners: Sportsman of the Year: Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles Team of the Year: South Africa Men's Rugby Team Breakthrough of the Year: Egan Bernal Comeback of the Year: Sophia Floersch Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oksana Masters Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim Best Sporting Moment: 'Carried on the shoulders of a nation' – Sachin Tendulkar Lifetime Achievement Award: Dirk Nowitzki Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Spanish Basketball Federation Laureus Sport for Good Award: South Bronx United

Sachin Tendulkar wins Laureus Award for Sporting Moment for his 2011 World Cup victory lap

Lewis Hamilton, Lionel Messi, Simon Biles score big at Laureus Awards, here's the list of winners!

Max Verstappen believes he can thwart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../lewis-hamilton-not-ruling-out-a-ferrari-switch- 265758">Lewis Hamilton</a>'s bid for a seventh Formula One title this season if Red Bull gives him the tools to do the job.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-kubica-opens-new-chapter-as-alfa-romeo-reserve-271570">Formula 1: Kubica opens new chapter as Alfa Romeo reserve</a>

The 22-year-old Dutch driver won three races last year, finishing third overall in the championship, and is not about to be awed by anyone's reputation -- even if that person is possibly the greatest driver of all time.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lareus-awards-2020-nominees-for-best-sportsperson-announced-274642">Laureus Awards 2020: Nominees for best Sportsperson announced</a>

"It's very car-dependent of course in Formula One," Verstappen told reporters at a Red Bull team media event on Monday.

"Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there, but he's not God. Maybe God is with him, but he is not God."

Hamilton, 35, is chasing several records this season including Michael Schumacher's 91 race wins and seven titles and has won five of the last six championships with dominant Mercedes.

"We really want to mount a challenge to especially Mercedes and I think we can do that," said Verstappen, who last month signed a contract extension to the end of 2023 and has a new English trainer and physio for 2020.

He said the new contract had taken away the hassle of being asked all the time about his future, removing another potential distraction.

Verstappen suggested Hamilton could be vulnerable if put under sustained pressure, with the Briton having singled out Verstappen already last year as someone he gave more space to because of his aggressive reputation.

"I'm very much looking forward to it, everybody's fired up and everybody's very motivated. Coming off last year, at the end, we were very competitive," said the Dutch driver.

Team boss Christian Horner said Red Bull, who use Honda engines, would be helped by stable regulations and were looking to apply the lessons learned from 2019 to take the fight to Mercedes and Ferrari.

The new car will have its first track shakedown behind closed doors at Silverstone on Feb 12, with Verstappen and Thai team mate Alexander Albon starting pre-season testing in Barcelona on Feb. 19.

"Honda did such a great job, each introduction of an engine last year brought more performance and more power and it feels we're getting very, very close now to Mercedes," said Horner, whose team were third overall in 2019.

"That therefore puts the emphasis on the chassis side of the team... going into this year we feel better prepared, earlier, than we have certainly in the last five years."

Max Verstappen believes he can thwart Lewis Hamilton's bid for a seventh Formula One title this season if Red Bull gives him the tools to do the job. Also read- Formula 1: Kubica opens new chapter as Alfa Romeo reserve The 22-year-old Dutch driver won three races last year, finishing third overall in the championship, and is not about to be awed by anyone's reputation -- even if that person is possibly the greatest driver of all time.

Max Verstappen believes he can thwart Lewis Hamilton's bid for a seventh Formula One title this season if Red Bull gives him the tools to do the job. Also read- Formula 1: Kubica opens new chapter as Alfa Romeo reserve The 22-year-old Dutch driver won three races last year, finishing third overall in the championship, and is not about to be awed by anyone's reputation -- even if that person is possibly the greatest driver of all time. Also read- Laureus Awards 2020: Nominees for best Sportsperson announced "It's very car-dependent of course in Formula One," Verstappen told reporters at a Red Bull team media event on Monday. "Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there, but he's not God. Maybe God is with him, but he is not God." Hamilton, 35, is chasing several records this season including Michael Schumacher's 91 race wins and seven titles and has won five of the last six championships with dominant Mercedes. "We really want to mount a challenge to especially Mercedes and I think we can do that," said Verstappen, who last month signed a contract extension to the end of 2023 and has a new English trainer and physio for 2020. He said the new contract had taken away the hassle of being asked all the time about his future, removing another potential distraction. Verstappen suggested Hamilton could be vulnerable if put under sustained pressure, with the Briton having singled out Verstappen already last year as someone he gave more space to because of his aggressive reputation. "I'm very much looking forward to it, everybody's fired up and everybody's very motivated. Coming off last year, at the end, we were very competitive," said the Dutch driver. Team boss Christian Horner said Red Bull, who use Honda engines, would be helped by stable regulations and were looking to apply the lessons learned from 2019 to take the fight to Mercedes and Ferrari. The new car will have its first track shakedown behind closed doors at Silverstone on Feb 12, with Verstappen and Thai team mate Alexander Albon starting pre-season testing in Barcelona on Feb. 19. "Honda did such a great job, each introduction of an engine last year brought more performance and more power and it feels we're getting very, very close now to Mercedes," said Horner, whose team were third overall in 2019. "That therefore puts the emphasis on the chassis side of the team... going into this year we feel better prepared, earlier, than we have certainly in the last five years."

Formula 1: Hamilton is good but he's not God, says Verstappen

Robert&nbsp;Kubica&nbsp;has joined <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sauber-f1-team-changes-name-to-alfa-romeo-racing-194422">Alfa Romeo</a> as their 2020 reserve driver, the role the Pole carried out 14 years ago when he made his Formula One debut with the Swiss-based team then known as BMW Sauber.

The deal announced on Wednesday also sees Polish oil company PKN ORLEN, who backed the 35-year-old's comeback last season at former champions Williams, become a co-title sponsor of the team in a multi-year partnership.

Kubica's big break came in 2006 when he became Poland's first F1 racer, replacing Canada's 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve at BMW Sauber and going on to win with them at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

The Pole, who suffered a near-fatal rally accident in 2011 that partially severed his right arm, scored tail-enders <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/williams-equal-f1-pit-stop-record-834">Williams</a>' only point last year in a remarkable personal comeback clouded by the team's inability to provide a competitive car.

He announced in September that he was leaving and has since been replaced by Canadian Nicholas Latifi, the team's 2019 reserve.

"I'm starting a new chapter in my career by joining Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN. This is a team that has a special place in my heart and it'll be nice to see the familiar faces I still remember from Hinwil," said&nbsp;Kubica&nbsp;in a statement.

"Time and circumstances are obviously different, but I am convinced that I will find the same determination and hunger to succeed."

Kubica&nbsp;had also been linked to the Haas and Racing Point teams who had considered him for a role as a tester and simulator driver.

Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo's race drivers this year are Finland's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, an unchanged lineup from 2019.

Team principal Frederic Vasseur welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/motor-racing-williams-problems-give-kubica-little-time-to-soak-up-comeback-203309">Kubica</a>, who before his accident raced for Renault and was close to becoming a Ferrari driver, back to the Hinwil factory.

"He is a driver that needs no introduction: one of the most brilliant in his generation and one who displayed the true meaning of human determination in his fight to return to racing after his rallying accident," he said.

"His feedback will be invaluable as we continue to push our team towards the front of the grid."

Alfa Romeo finished last season in eighth place with 57 points.

The team said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-iran-squeezed-out-us-oil-takes-on-new-rivals-in-europe-196711">PKN ORLEN</a> branding will feature on the C39 car and all "trackside assets".

Robert Kubica has joined Alfa Romeo as their 2020 reserve driver, the role the Pole carried out 14 years ago when he made his Formula One debut with the Swiss-based team then known as BMW Sauber.

Robert Kubica has joined Alfa Romeo as their 2020 reserve driver, the role the Pole carried out 14 years ago when he made his Formula One debut with the Swiss-based team then known as BMW Sauber. The deal announced on Wednesday also sees Polish oil company PKN ORLEN, who backed the 35-year-old's comeback last season at former champions Williams, become a co-title sponsor of the team in a multi-year partnership. Kubica's big break came in 2006 when he became Poland's first F1 racer, replacing Canada's 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve at BMW Sauber and going on to win with them at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix. The Pole, who suffered a near-fatal rally accident in 2011 that partially severed his right arm, scored tail-enders Williams' only point last year in a remarkable personal comeback clouded by the team's inability to provide a competitive car. He announced in September that he was leaving and has since been replaced by Canadian Nicholas Latifi, the team's 2019 reserve. "I'm starting a new chapter in my career by joining Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN. This is a team that has a special place in my heart and it'll be nice to see the familiar faces I still remember from Hinwil," said Kubica in a statement. "Time and circumstances are obviously different, but I am convinced that I will find the same determination and hunger to succeed." Kubica had also been linked to the Haas and Racing Point teams who had considered him for a role as a tester and simulator driver. Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo's race drivers this year are Finland's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, an unchanged lineup from 2019. Team principal Frederic Vasseur welcomed Kubica, who before his accident raced for Renault and was close to becoming a Ferrari driver, back to the Hinwil factory. "He is a driver that needs no introduction: one of the most brilliant in his generation and one who displayed the true meaning of human determination in his fight to return to racing after his rallying accident," he said. "His feedback will be invaluable as we continue to push our team towards the front of the grid." Alfa Romeo finished last season in eighth place with 57 points. The team said PKN ORLEN branding will feature on the C39 car and all "trackside assets".

Formula 1: Kubica opens new chapter as Alfa Romeo reserve

It will have been six years since Formula One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/michael-schumacher-admitted-to-paris-hospital-for-secret-treatment-report-248733">legend Michael Schumacher</a> met with a skiing accident in the French Alps.&nbsp;The accident changed hit the Schumacher family and&nbsp;left the F-1&nbsp;world shocked.

The seven-time champion racing driver suffered brain injuries when he tumbled while skiing in the French alps after he&nbsp;ventured into an unsecured zone. Michael lost balance and fell head-first on a rock.

Even though he had his skiing helmet on, the injury to his brain led doctors to place him on medically induced coma&nbsp;for six months until 16 June 2014.

He left the intensive care ward at the hospital in Grenoble,&nbsp;for further rehabilitation at the University Hospital of Lausanne, in Switzerland.

Since then, Schumacher has shown signs of improvement. After the latest surgery in 2019 in Paris, medical staff stated that Michael Schumacher was "conscious".

However,&nbsp;Schumacher's family has been tight lipped over the former champion's state of health throughout all these years.

Approaching the sixth anniversary of the accident, Michael's wife Corina in a rare event delivered a hopeful message to fans.

"Big things start with small steps. Many small particles can form a huge mosaic," Corinna reportedly told fans.

Despite Schumacher being out of public&nbsp;eye for the greater part of the decade, support for him continues to remain strong, with fans&nbsp;hungry on any scap of information his health.

However, Schumacher's doctors have&nbsp;repotedly said that there are still one to three years left for his recovery to be complete.

It will have been six years since Formula One legend Michael Schumacher met with a skiing accident in the French Alps. The accident changed hit the Schumacher family and left the F-1 world shocked.

It will have been six years since Formula One legend Michael Schumacher met with a skiing accident in the French Alps. The accident changed hit the Schumacher family and left the F-1 world shocked. The seven-time champion racing driver suffered brain injuries when he tumbled while skiing in the French alps after he ventured into an unsecured zone. Michael lost balance and fell head-first on a rock. Even though he had his skiing helmet on, the injury to his brain led doctors to place him on medically induced coma for six months until 16 June 2014. He left the intensive care ward at the hospital in Grenoble, for further rehabilitation at the University Hospital of Lausanne, in Switzerland. Since then, Schumacher has shown signs of improvement. After the latest surgery in 2019 in Paris, medical staff stated that Michael Schumacher was "conscious". However, Schumacher's family has been tight lipped over the former champion's state of health throughout all these years. Approaching the sixth anniversary of the accident, Michael's wife Corina in a rare event delivered a hopeful message to fans. "Big things start with small steps. Many small particles can form a huge mosaic," Corinna reportedly told fans. Despite Schumacher being out of public eye for the greater part of the decade, support for him continues to remain strong, with fans hungry on any scap of information his health. However, Schumacher's doctors have repotedly said that there are still one to three years left for his recovery to be complete.

Big things start with small steps, says Schumacher's wife in rare health update

Renault were&nbsp;stripped of their nine points from the Japanese Grand Prix on Wednesday after Formula One's governing body ruled the cars driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg had illegal driver aids.

Australian Ricciardo and German Hulkenberg were classified sixth and 10th at the October 13 race in Suzuka but the Racing Point team protested against the brake bias system used by the French manufacturer.

The governing FIA announced the outcome in a statement ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix and gave Renault until Thursday to appeal.

Renault acknowledged the decision and did not say whether they would appeal.

"Considering the subjectivity of the qualification of a system as a driver aid and the variability of the associated penalties in recent cases, Renault F1 Team will consider its next course of action within the timeframe laid out by the FIA," the team said.

Renault's points haul in Japan had consolidated their fifth place in the constructors' standings, but their cars' steering wheels and electronic control units were impounded after the race.

The FIA said the stewards concluded after a telephone hearing that the brake bias system "used innovative solutions to exploit certain ambiguities" and did not breach the technical regulations.

They also found that the system was not pre-set or lap distance-dependent as alleged.

The system, however, acted as a driver aid and that was not allowed under the sporting regulations.

"The brake balance adjustment system in question acts as a driver aid, by saving the driver from having to make a number of adjustments during a lap," the statement said.

"The stewards note that there is a clear distinction between this system and one which provides actual feedback control, which would be a substitute for driver skills or reflexes," it added.

"Nevertheless, it is still an aid and, therefore, contravenes."

Renault had argued in their defence that Racing Point could produce no conclusive video evidence and had based their protest on allegations by a former Renault employee who was unaware of all the details.

The disqualification lifts Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to sixth with Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly and Racing Point's Sergio Perez now seventh and eighth.

Racing Point's Lance Stroll is ninth and Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat 10th.

Toro Rosso and Racing Point are also closer to Renault in the constructors' standings with four races to go.

Renault were stripped of their nine points from the Japanese Grand Prix on Wednesday after Formula One's governing body ruled the cars driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg had illegal driver aids.

Renault were stripped of their nine points from the Japanese Grand Prix on Wednesday after Formula One's governing body ruled the cars driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg had illegal driver aids. Australian Ricciardo and German Hulkenberg were classified sixth and 10th at the October 13 race in Suzuka but the Racing Point team protested against the brake bias system used by the French manufacturer. The governing FIA announced the outcome in a statement ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix and gave Renault until Thursday to appeal. Renault acknowledged the decision and did not say whether they would appeal. "Considering the subjectivity of the qualification of a system as a driver aid and the variability of the associated penalties in recent cases, Renault F1 Team will consider its next course of action within the timeframe laid out by the FIA," the team said. Renault's points haul in Japan had consolidated their fifth place in the constructors' standings, but their cars' steering wheels and electronic control units were impounded after the race. The FIA said the stewards concluded after a telephone hearing that the brake bias system "used innovative solutions to exploit certain ambiguities" and did not breach the technical regulations. They also found that the system was not pre-set or lap distance-dependent as alleged. The system, however, acted as a driver aid and that was not allowed under the sporting regulations. "The brake balance adjustment system in question acts as a driver aid, by saving the driver from having to make a number of adjustments during a lap," the statement said. "The stewards note that there is a clear distinction between this system and one which provides actual feedback control, which would be a substitute for driver skills or reflexes," it added. "Nevertheless, it is still an aid and, therefore, contravenes." Renault had argued in their defence that Racing Point could produce no conclusive video evidence and had based their protest on allegations by a former Renault employee who was unaware of all the details. The disqualification lifts Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to sixth with Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly and Racing Point's Sergio Perez now seventh and eighth. Racing Point's Lance Stroll is ninth and Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat 10th. Toro Rosso and Racing Point are also closer to Renault in the constructors' standings with four races to go.

Renault stripped of Japanese Grand Prix points

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took his third successive Formula One pole position on Saturday with Mercedes' world champion Lewis Hamilton joining the youngster on the front row for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who was fastest after the first flying laps in the final session of qualifying, made mistakes on his last effort and qualified third with Red Bull's Max Verstappen fourth.

Leclerc, 21, also started on pole in Belgium and Italy and won both races.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took his third successive Formula One pole position on Saturday with Mercedes' world champion Lewis Hamilton joining the youngster on the front row for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took his third successive Formula One pole position on Saturday with Mercedes' world champion Lewis Hamilton joining the youngster on the front row for the Singapore Grand Prix. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who was fastest after the first flying laps in the final session of qualifying, made mistakes on his last effort and qualified third with Red Bull's Max Verstappen fourth. Leclerc, 21, also started on pole in Belgium and Italy and won both races.

Charles Leclerc stuns with pole hat-trick in Singapore

Sebastian Vettel led Ferrari’s charge in practice for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday but the German’s Formula One victory drought, already more than a year long, still looked set to continue.

The German, whose 52nd and last win came at the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, was second and third fastest on the timesheets in Friday’s two sessions at the Marina Bay track.

Team mate Charles Leclerc, who eclipsed Vettel with successive wins in Belgium and Italy, was 19th in the first session after being sidelined by a gearbox failure and sixth in the second.

While Vettel was just 0.167 seconds off pace-setter Max Verstappen’s Red Bull over the first 90 minutes, he was nearly a second off the pace set by Mercedes' championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the floodlit night-time running.

Ferrari's car was aerodynamically well-suited to the flat-out blasts of the Spa-Francorchamps and Monza circuits but the twisty Marina Bay street track, with more corners than any other circuit, has shifted the balance away from the Italian team.

"I think Mercedes was very strong today," said Vettel. "Everybody could see that, not just on one lap and not just on the timing tables.

"I think overall they were a bit faster. On our side we can do better, we can improve the car so let's see."

Vettel has won four times in Singapore, the same as five-times world champion Hamilton with the pair the most successful drivers at the event.

His last win in the city state came in 2015, his first year with Ferrari.

The German heads into this weekend’s race off the back of a scrappy display at Monza, Ferrari's home race, where he spun off and was sanctioned by stewards for rejoining the track dangerously.

That was the latest in a series of mistakes going back to last year’s German Grand Prix and he is now 13 points behind Leclerc in the standings.

The German's current form has fuelled speculation, despite his statements to the contrary, that he might not see out his Ferrari contract which runs out at the end of 2020.

"Certainly not the best one right now,” said Vettel when asked if this was the worst point of his career. "But also it’s not the worst one either.&nbsp;

"I still love racing and I look forward to a lot of races this year to hopefully get in a better position and finish the season in the way we want.&nbsp;

"Then prepare for next year."

Sebastian Vettel led Ferrari’s charge in practice for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday but the German’s Formula One victory drought, already more than a year long, still looked set to continue.

Sebastian Vettel led Ferrari’s charge in practice for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday but the German’s Formula One victory drought, already more than a year long, still looked set to continue. The German, whose 52nd and last win came at the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, was second and third fastest on the timesheets in Friday’s two sessions at the Marina Bay track. Team mate Charles Leclerc, who eclipsed Vettel with successive wins in Belgium and Italy, was 19th in the first session after being sidelined by a gearbox failure and sixth in the second. While Vettel was just 0.167 seconds off pace-setter Max Verstappen’s Red Bull over the first 90 minutes, he was nearly a second off the pace set by Mercedes' championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the floodlit night-time running. Ferrari's car was aerodynamically well-suited to the flat-out blasts of the Spa-Francorchamps and Monza circuits but the twisty Marina Bay street track, with more corners than any other circuit, has shifted the balance away from the Italian team. "I think Mercedes was very strong today," said Vettel. "Everybody could see that, not just on one lap and not just on the timing tables. "I think overall they were a bit faster. On our side we can do better, we can improve the car so let's see." Vettel has won four times in Singapore, the same as five-times world champion Hamilton with the pair the most successful drivers at the event. His last win in the city state came in 2015, his first year with Ferrari. The German heads into this weekend’s race off the back of a scrappy display at Monza, Ferrari's home race, where he spun off and was sanctioned by stewards for rejoining the track dangerously. That was the latest in a series of mistakes going back to last year’s German Grand Prix and he is now 13 points behind Leclerc in the standings. The German's current form has fuelled speculation, despite his statements to the contrary, that he might not see out his Ferrari contract which runs out at the end of 2020. "Certainly not the best one right now,” said Vettel when asked if this was the worst point of his career. "But also it’s not the worst one either. "I still love racing and I look forward to a lot of races this year to hopefully get in a better position and finish the season in the way we want. "Then prepare for next year."

Sebastian Vettel leads Ferrari's Singapore charge but Mercedes on top

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